IMPAX Receives FDA Approval for Generic Versions of Wellbutrin SR; Final Approval Issued for the 100 mg Strength

January 28, 2004

HAYWARD, Calif., Jan 28, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- IMPAX Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ:IPXL) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted final approval to the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for its generic version of Wellbutrin(R) SR (Bupropion Hydrochloride) 100 mg Controlled Release Tablets and has granted tentative approval to the Company's generic version of Wellbutrin SR 150 mg Controlled Release Tablets. GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) markets Wellbutrin SR for the treatment of depression. According to NDCHealth, U.S. sales of these dosage forms of Wellbutrin SR Tablets were approximately $1.6 billion in the 12 months ended November 30, 2003.

Conversion of the 150 mg strength tentative approval to final approval is contingent upon any generic marketing exclusivity. Final approval also is dependent upon FDA's evaluation of any new information subsequent to the tentative approval.

"We are pleased to have received these important approvals and continue to work diligently with our partners, Teva (NASDAQ:TEVA) and Andrx (NASDAQ:ADRX), toward the final approval of the 150 mg strength," said Larry Hsu, Ph.D. IMPAX Laboratories, Inc. President.

IMPAX currently has 20 applications pending at the FDA, including five tentatively approved, which address over $7 billion in U.S. market sales for the 12 months ended November 30, 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.

SOURCE: IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.

IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.
Barry R. Edwards, 215-289-2220 Ext. 1771
Larry Hsu, Ph.D., 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

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