Teva announces agreement on generic Pulmicort Respules patent challenge

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has announced that its subsidiary, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., has signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to settle patent litigation involving Teva's U.S. generic version of AstraZeneca's Pulmicort (Budesonide) Respules including all claims for patent infringement and damages.

Teva launched its generic budesonide respules in the U.S. on November 18, 2008. The agreement releases Teva for all past U.S. sales of its generic budesonide respules and provides that any product already shipped by Teva will remain in the market to be further distributed and dispensed. Teva will not resume shipping additional units of its budesonide respules until December 15, 2009 (or earlier based on certain contingencies) pursuant to an exclusive license for which Teva will pay AstraZeneca an undisclosed royalty.

About Teva

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the world's leading generic pharmaceutical company. The Company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as animal health pharmaceutical products. Over 80 percent of Teva's sales are in North America and Europe.