IMPAX Receives FDA Tentative Approval for Generic Versions Of OxyContin; Ninth ANDA Approval in 2003

December 24, 2003

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 24, 2003--IMPAX Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPXL) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted tentative approval to the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for generic versions of OxyContin(R) (Oxycodone Hydrochloride) Controlled Release Tablets, 10, 20 and 40 mg. Purdue Pharma markets OxyContin for the management of moderate to severe pain. According to NDCHealth, U.S. sales of OxyContin Controlled Release Tablets, 10, 20 and 40 mg, were $1,182 million for the 12 months ended October 31, 2003.

Final approval is contingent upon the earlier of the resolution of pending patent-infringement litigation brought by Purdue Pharma against IMPAX, or the expiration of the 30-month stay process under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments; and the expiration of any generic marketing exclusivity. Final approval is also dependent upon FDA's evaluation of any new information subsequent to this tentative approval.

IMPAX Laboratories previously announced FDA acceptance of the Company's ANDA filing for Oxycodone Hydrochloride Extended Release Tablets, 10, 20 and 40 mg, and commented on the filing of a lawsuit by Purdue Pharma alleging patent infringement relating to the ANDA in September 2002. The litigation with Purdue Pharma is still ongoing.

"This tentative approval is our ninth ANDA approval this year," said Larry Hsu, Ph.D., president of IMPAX Laboratories. "We are pleased to see our new product pipeline continue to progress through FDA and add to our growing portfolio of products."

IMPAX currently has 20 applications pending at the FDA, including four tentatively approved, which address approximately $7.1 billion in U.S. branded product sales for the 12 months ended October 31, 2003. Fifteen of these filings were made under Paragraph IV of the Hatch-Waxman Amendments.

IMPAX Laboratories, Inc. is a technology-based specialty pharmaceutical company applying its formulation expertise and drug-delivery technology to the development of controlled-release and specialty generics in addition to the development of branded products. IMPAX markets its generic products through its Global Pharmaceuticals division and intends to market its branded products through the IMPAX Pharmaceuticals division. Additionally, where strategically appropriate, IMPAX has developed marketing partnerships to fully leverage its technology platform. IMPAX Laboratories is headquartered in Hayward, California, and has a full range of capabilities in its Hayward and Philadelphia facilities. For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at: www.impaxlabs.com.

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

To the extent any statements made in this news release contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking in nature and express the beliefs and expectations of management. Such statements are based on current expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause Impax's future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Impax's ability to obtain sufficient capital to fund its operations, the difficulty of predicting FDA filings and approvals, consumer acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, Impax's ability to successfully develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products, Impax's reliance on key strategic alliances, the uncertainty of patent litigation, the availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, dependence on patent and other protection for innovative products, exposure to product liability claims, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in Impax's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date on which they are made, and Impax undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise.

    CONTACT: IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.
             Barry R. Edwards, 215-289-2220, Ext. 1771
             Larry Hsu, 510-476-2000, Ext. 1111
             Cornel C. Spiegler, 215-289-2220, Ext. 1706
             www.impaxlabs.com
             or
             Investor Relations Contacts:
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
             Kim Sutton Golodetz, 212-838-3777
             kgolodetz@lhai.com
             Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100
             bvoss@lhai.com
             www.lhai.com

    SOURCE: IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.