PITTSBURGH, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mylan Inc. (NYSE: MYL) today confirmed that the company and its subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., have been sued by Novartis in connection with Fluvastatin Capsules USP, 20 mg (base) and 40 mg (base), the generic version of Novartis' Lescol^® Capsules.

Mylan believes it is the first company to file a substantially complete Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) containing a Paragraph IV certification for the product. The company filed an ANDA with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June. Novartis filed a lawsuit Oct. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,354,772.

Fluvastatin Capsules, used in the treatment of high cholesterol, had approximately $60 million in sales for the twelve months ending June 30, 2008, according to IMS Health.

Currently, Mylan has 108 ANDAs pending FDA approval, 22 of which are potential first-to-file opportunities.

Mylan Inc., which provides products to customers in more than 140 countries and territories, ranks among the leading diversified generic and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company maintains one of the industry's broadest -- and highest quality -- product portfolios, supported by a robust product pipeline; owns a controlling interest in the world's second largest active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer; and operates a specialty business focused on respiratory and allergy therapies. For more information, please visit http://www.mylan.com.

This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with regard to the expected first to file status and pending litigation. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: the use of legal, regulatory and legislative strategies by competitors or other third parties to delay or prevent product introductions; risks inherent in legal and regulatory processes; and the other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.

SOURCE Mylan Inc.