Watson Pharmaceuticals
Encyclopedia
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated (NYSE: WPI) is the 5th largest pharmaceutical company in the United States
based on number of prescriptions dispensed. Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, Watson's Generics division markets over 150 pharmaceutical product families, including one of the largest lines of oral contraceptives in the industry, as well as the generic version of the popular and highly dispensed opiate
narcotic pain medication, Vicodin
, Hydrocodone Bitartrate/APAP tablets. Watson's Brand division markets over 20 pharmaceutical product families, including Ferrlecit for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, Rapaflo, for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, Gelnique, the only gel for the treatment of overactive bladder, Oxytrol, a transdermal matrix patch for the control of overactive bladder
, Norco, a popular opioid/narcotic
pain medication, Androderm, a transdermal reservoir patch for the treatment of low testosterone
, as well as many other brand name medications. In addition, Watson's Distribution division, Anda, markets more than 6,000 pharmaceutical products, making it the 4th largest pharmaceutical distribution company in the United States.
On November 3, 2006, Watson acquired all the outstanding shares of common stock of the Andrx Corporation, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida based pharmaceutical company, in an all-cash transaction for $25 per share, or total consideration of approximately $1.9 billion. Andrx distributes pharmaceutical products primarily to independent and chain pharmacies and physicians’ offices and is considered a leader in formulating and commercializing difficult-to-replicate controlled-release pharmaceutical products and selective immediate-release products.1 The acquisition expands Watson's sustained release technology platform and adds a number of high-barrier-to-entry products to its pipeline. Additionally, the acquisition includes Andrx's Anda Distribution business and state-of-the-art distribution centers in Florida and Ohio. These assets will allow for broadening Watson's product portfolio & providing future growth opportunities.
Acquisition of Arrow group
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
based on number of prescriptions dispensed. Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, Watson's Generics division markets over 150 pharmaceutical product families, including one of the largest lines of oral contraceptives in the industry, as well as the generic version of the popular and highly dispensed opiate
Opiate
In medicine, the term opiate describes any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found as natural products in the opium poppy plant.-Overview:Opiates are so named because they are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium, which is processed from the latex sap of the opium poppy,...
narcotic pain medication, Vicodin
Vicodin
Hydrocodone/paracetamol is a combination of two analgesic products hydrocodone and paracetamol used to relieve moderate to severe pain...
, Hydrocodone Bitartrate/APAP tablets. Watson's Brand division markets over 20 pharmaceutical product families, including Ferrlecit for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, Rapaflo, for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, Gelnique, the only gel for the treatment of overactive bladder, Oxytrol, a transdermal matrix patch for the control of overactive bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
, Norco, a popular opioid/narcotic
Opioid
An opioid is a psychoactive chemical that works by binding to opioid receptors, which are found principally in the central and peripheral nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract...
pain medication, Androderm, a transdermal reservoir patch for the treatment of low testosterone
Testosterone
Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
, as well as many other brand name medications. In addition, Watson's Distribution division, Anda, markets more than 6,000 pharmaceutical products, making it the 4th largest pharmaceutical distribution company in the United States.
History
Watson's roots began in the Spring of 1984, when, with funding from friends and family, colleagues Allen Chao, Ph.D. and David Hsia, Ph.D., begin a small drug development enterprise. In tribute to his mother, whose maiden name was Hwa, Dr. Chao names the new pharmaceutical company after her. With a small concession to the English language, "Hwa's son" becomes Watson. Just two months later, Watson establishes an initial product development and analytical laboratory with six employees (including both founders) into a leased space in Libertyville, Illinois. By late Fall of the same year, Operations then move to Southern California into an initial 2000 square feet (185.8 m²) leased facility in Corona; the development and manufacturing of generic pharmaceuticals begins. On April 13, 2011, Watson announced it was moving it's corperate headquarters from Corona, California to Parsippany, New Jersey. Watson's new LEED-certified corperate headquarters at the Morris Corporate Center in Parsippany opened on June 9, 2011.Merger and acquisition activity
Acquisition of Andrx CorporationOn November 3, 2006, Watson acquired all the outstanding shares of common stock of the Andrx Corporation, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida based pharmaceutical company, in an all-cash transaction for $25 per share, or total consideration of approximately $1.9 billion. Andrx distributes pharmaceutical products primarily to independent and chain pharmacies and physicians’ offices and is considered a leader in formulating and commercializing difficult-to-replicate controlled-release pharmaceutical products and selective immediate-release products.1 The acquisition expands Watson's sustained release technology platform and adds a number of high-barrier-to-entry products to its pipeline. Additionally, the acquisition includes Andrx's Anda Distribution business and state-of-the-art distribution centers in Florida and Ohio. These assets will allow for broadening Watson's product portfolio & providing future growth opportunities.
Acquisition of Arrow group
Locations and facilities
- Parsippany, New Jersey
- Number of Employees: Approximately 180 staff employees and 370 field sales representatives. More employees pending
- Facility Focus: Corperate Headquarters, Commercial Headquarters, Sales & Marketing, Sales Operations, Medical Affairs.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 180 staff employees and 370 field sales representatives. More employees pending
- Corona, California
- Number of Employees: Approximately 1,330
- Facility Focus: Solid Dosage Manufacturing, Generic R&D.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 1,330
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Number of Employees: Approximately 310
- Facility Focus: Brand Research & Development, Transdermal Manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 310
- Mt. Prospect, Illinois
- Number of Employees: Approximately 30
- Facility Focus: Pharmaceutical technology and analytical support to in-house and third party manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 30
- Gurnee, Illinois
- Number of Employees: Approximately 80
- Facility Focus: Distribution and Telesales.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 80
- Groveport, Ohio
- Number of Employees: Approximately 115
- Facility Focus: Distribution Warehouse.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 115
- Grand Island, New York
- Number of Employees: Approximately 70
- Facility Focus: Telesales Operation.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 70
- Copiague, New York
- Number of Employees: Approximately 200
- Facility Focus: Transmucosal Gum (Nicotine Polacrilex Gum) Manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 200
- Brewster, New York
- Number of Employees: Approximately 90
- Facility Focus: Distribution & Sales Operations, Regulatory Affairs.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 90
- Carmel, New York
- Number of Employees: Approximately 570
- Facility Focus: Mass Solid Dosage Pharmaceutical Manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 570
- Danbury, Connecticut
- Number of Employees: Approximately 60
- Facility Focus: Finance, Analytical Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Technology, Engineering Validation, and Training.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 60
- Weston, Florida
- Number of Employees: Approximately 570.
- Facility Focus: Distribution Warehouse & Telesales Operation for Anda Inc..
- Number of Employees: Approximately 570.
- Davie, Florida
- Number of Employees: Approximately 820.
- Facility Focus: Solid dosage manufacturing (tablets and capsules), Generic Research & Development, focusing primarily on controlled-release solid dose products.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 820.
- Coleraine, Northern Ireland, Europe
- Number of Employees: Approximately 26.
- Facility Focus: Manufactures 99% pharmaceutical grade nicotineNicotineNicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants that constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of the dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots and accumulation occurring in the leaves...
, nicotine bitartrate dehydrate, and nicotine polacrilex as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for the smoking cessation industry.
- Facility Focus: Manufactures 99% pharmaceutical grade nicotine
- Number of Employees: Approximately 26.
- Mumbai, India
- Number of Employees: Approximately 735, including contract workers.
- Facility Focus: Process Research & Development, Manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and related intermediates, Generic product development, and Solid dosage manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 735, including contract workers.
- Goa, India
- Number of Employees: Approximately 350.
- Facility Focus: Solid dosage manufacturing.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 350.
- Shanghai, China
- Number of Employees: Approximately 92.
- Facility Focus: China Sales and Marketing, API Manufacturing (start-up).
- Number of Employees: Approximately 92.
- Changzhou, China
- Number of Employees: Approximately 91.
- Facility Focus: China Sales and Marketing, API Manufacturing (start-up).
- Number of Employees: Approximately 91.
Products
Some of the more popular products manufactured by Watson Pharmaceuticals are:- ACYCLOVIR Tablets (Generic for: Zovirax)
- BUPROPION HYDROCHLORIDE Tablets (Generic for: Wellbutrin SR & Zyban SR)
- BUSPIRONE HYDROCHLORIDE Tablets (Generic for: BuSpar)
- CARISOPRODOL Tablets (Generic for: SomaSomaSoma , or Haoma , from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sauma-, was a ritual drink of importance among the early Indo-Iranians, and the subsequent Vedic and greater Persian cultures. It is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, whose Soma Mandala contains 114 hymns, many praising its energizing qualities...
) - CITALOPRAM HYDROBROMIDE Tablets (Generic for: Celexa)
- CLARITHROMYCIN Extended-Release Tablets (generic for: Biaxin XL)
- CLONAZEPAM Tablets (Generic for: Klonopin), CIV
- CYCLOBENZAPRINE HYDROCHLORIDE Tablets (Generic for: Flexeril)
- DIAZEPAM Tablets (Generic for: Valium ), CIV
- DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE Capsules (Generic for: Vibramycin)
- ENALAPRIL MALEATE Tablets (Generic for: Vasotec)
- FENTANYL CITRATE TRANSMUCOSAL SYSTEMS "AKA: Morphine Lollipops" (Generic for:ActiqActiqActiq by Cephalon, is a solid formulation of fentanyl citrate on a plastic stick that dissolves slowly in the mouth for absorption across the buccal mucosa. Generically Actiq is a form of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate . In the UK, Fentanyl is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971....
), CII - FENTANYL CITRATE TRANSDERMAL PATCH Skin Patches (Generic for: DuragesicDuragesicDuragesic and Durogesic are trade names of fentanyl transdermal therapeutic systems, and are used for relief of moderate to severe pain. Since Duragesic/Durogesic release Fentanyl, a potent opioid, slowly through the skin, one patch may provide 72 hours of pain relief...
), CII - FIORICET Tablets (Butalbital, Acetaminophen, CaffeineCaffeineCaffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
), CIII - FIORINAL Capsules (ButalbitalButalbitalButalbital, structure presents as 5-allyl-5-isobutylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with an intermediate duration of action. It has the same chemical formula as talbutal but a different structure. Butalbital is often combined with other medications, such as paracetamol or aspirin, and is...
, Aspirin, Caffeine), CIII - GALANTAMINEGalantamineGalantamine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and various other memory impairments, in particular those of vascular origin...
ER (Galantamine Hydrobromide Extended-Release / Galantamine HBr ER) Capsules (Generic for: Razadyne ER) - HYDROCODONEHydrocodoneHydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from either of two naturally occurring opiates: codeine and thebaine. It is an orally active narcotic analgesic and antitussive...
BITARTRATE/APAP Tablets (Generic for: VicodinVicodinHydrocodone/paracetamol is a combination of two analgesic products hydrocodone and paracetamol used to relieve moderate to severe pain...
, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco), CIII - HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE & IbuprofenIbuprofenIbuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
Tablets (Generic for: Vicoprofen), CIII - IBUPROFEN Tablets (Generic for: Motrin)
- LISINOPRIL Tablets (Generic for: Zestril)
- MAXIDONE Tablets (HydrocodoneHydrocodoneHydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from either of two naturally occurring opiates: codeine and thebaine. It is an orally active narcotic analgesic and antitussive...
Bitartrate & Acetaminophen tablets), CIII - NORCO Tablets (Hydrocodone Bitartrate & Acetaminophen tablets), CIII
- QUASENSE, a generic equivalent of Seasonale, an extended cycle combination oral contraceptive pill.
- OXYCODONE & Acetaminophen Tablets (Generic for: Percocet)