IMPAX Announces Tentative Approval of Generic Effexor XR(R)

October 18, 2007

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 2007--IMPAX Laboratories, Inc. (OTC:IPXL) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted tentative approval to the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a generic version of Effexor XR(R) (venlafaxine HCl) 37.5mg, 75mg and 150mg extended release capsules.

Wyeth markets Effexor XR for the treatment of depression, panic disorder and generalized and social anxiety disorder. U.S. sales of Effexor XR were approximately $2.7 billion for the 12 months ended August 31, 2007, according to Wolters-Kluwer Health.

Final approval is contingent upon the earlier of the resolution of pending patent infringement litigation brought by Wyeth 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.

"We are please to announce our fifth FDA approval this year. We intend to continue to vigorously defend the ongoing patent litigation with Wyeth and look forward to prevailing and bringing this important generic product to market," said Larry Hsu, Ph.D., IMPAX's president and chief executive officer.

About IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.

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 markets 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, possible adverse effects resulting from the delisting of and suspension of trading in IMPAX's stock, the SEC proceeding to determine whether to suspend or revoke the registration of IMPAX's securities under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act, IMPAX's delay in filing its 2004 Form 10-K, its Form 10-Q for each of the first three quarters of 2005 and 2006, its Form 10-K for 2005 and 2006, and its Form 10-Q for the first and second quarters of 2007, the actual time that will be required to complete the filing of IMPAX's delinquent periodic reports, 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: Company Contacts:
IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.
Larry Hsu, Ph.D. President & CEO
510-476-2000, x1111
or
Arthur Koch, CFO
215-933-0351
www.impaxlabs.com
or
Investor Relations Contacts:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Kim Sutton Golodetz, 212-838-3777
kgolodetz@lhai.com
or
Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com
www.lhai.com

SOURCE: IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.