Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited announced today that it will launch its approved generic formulation of Clarithromycin immediate release (IR) tablets, 250 mg and 500 mg, on May 24, 2005. The Office of Generic Drugs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has determined that Ranbaxy's formulation can be expected to have the same therapeutic effect as an equivalent dose of Abbott's Biaxin Filmtab® (clarithromycin tablets, USP). Ranbaxy's clarithromycin tablets will be manufactured and marketed under the Ranbaxy label. Total annual market sales for 250 mg and 500 mg of Biaxin Filmtab were $204.3 million (IMS - MAT: March 2005).

Clarithromycin tablets are indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of designated microorganisms.

In response to the approval and launch, Jim Meehan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("RPI") stated, "We are delighted to market this product as an addition to our ever growing generic product portfolio. Our plans are to bring this product to the market immediately."

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("RPI") based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited ("RLL"), India's largest pharmaceutical company. RPI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic and branded prescription products in the U.S. healthcare system.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, India's largest pharmaceutical company, manufactures and markets brand and generic pharmaceuticals and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Ranbaxy's continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research. Ranbaxy's foray into Novel Drug Delivery Systems has led to proprietary "platform technologies" resulting in a number of products under development. The Company is selling its products in over 100 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 44 countries and manufacturing operations in 7 countries.

*Biaxin Filmtab® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories

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