Depomed Expands Geographic Scope of License Agreement with Merck for Extended Release Metformin Patents

NEWARK, Calif., Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ: DEPO) announced today it has expanded the geographic scope of its non-exclusive license agreement with a subsidiary of Merck for certain patents directed to metformin extended release technology for use in JANUMET^® XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride (HCl) extended-release).  The territory covered by the license agreement is now worldwide.

Under terms of the agreement originally entered into in July 2009, Merck receives a non-exclusive license as well as other rights to certain Depomed patents directed to metformin extended release technology.  Through the expiration date of the patents, Depomed will receive modest royalties on net product sales of JANUMET^® XR in countries in which the licensed patents cover the product. 

About Depomed
Depomed, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company with four approved and marketed products. Gralise^® (gabapentin) is a once-daily treatment approved for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).  Zipsor^® (diclofenac potassium) Liquid Filled Capsules is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for relief of mild to moderate acute pain in adults.  Lazanda^® (fentanyl) Nasal Spray is an intranasal fentanyl drug used to manage breakthrough pain in adults (18 years of age or older) who are already routinely taking other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for cancer pain.  Glumetza^® (metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets) is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and is commercialized by Santarus, Inc. in the United States. Gralise and Glumetza and other product candidates are formulated with Depomed's proven, proprietary Acuform^® drug delivery technology, which is designed to improve existing oral medications, allowing for extended release of medications to the upper gastrointestinal tract when dosed with food. Additional information about Depomed may be found on its website, www.depomed.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those related to Depomed's license agreement with Merck and other risks detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that any of the company's plans or objectives will be achieved. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Depomed, Inc.