Patheon Provides AcuForm™ Technology To Its Customers Through Ongoing Partnership with Depomed™

TORONTO, Canada, (November 18, 2008) – Patheon (TSX: PTI) a global provider of drug development and manufacturing services to the international pharmaceutical industry has relaunched its alliance with Depomed™ (NYSE:DEPO), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on enhancing pharmaceutical products, as part of Patheon’s commitment on providing the best development and commercialization service offerings.

The partnership of Patheon Inc. and Depomed™ unites the company’s proprietary AcuForm™ delivery technology with Patheon’s extensive network of manufacturing and distribution facilities across the globe.  AcuForm™ is a unique, patented, polymer-based technology designed to optimize drug delivery through gastric retention. AcuForm™ technology enables targeted, extended release of pharmaceutical ingredients to the upper gastrointestinal tract. This allows increased bioavailability, less frequent dosing and fewer side effects than presently seen with other formulations. 

Wes Wheeler, CEO of Patheon Inc. stated, “The alliance between Patheon and Depomed™ unites Patheon’s global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities while enhancing our commercial services to our customers. The convenience of once-daily administration, and improved treatment tolerability of the AcuForm™, technology, will enhance the services we can provide to our customers.  This alliance is another example of Patheon’s commitment to being the best provider of development and commercialization services worldwide.”

AcuForm™ gastric retention tablets stay in the stomach – above the window of absorption – for 8-9 hours with food and slowly release the drug, providing controlled once-a-day dosing.  This technology adds a new facet to Patheon’s Commercial Manufacturing, which already includes products in solid, semi-solid, sterile and liquid dosage forms.

ABOUT PATHEON
Patheon Inc. (TSX: PTI; www.patheon.com) is a leading provider of contract development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry. Patheon provides products and services to more than three hundred of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies. Patheon’s technologies and services range from pre-clinical development to manufacturing a full array of dosage forms. Their global network of ten manufacturing facilities and seven development centers ensures that customer products can be launched with confidence anywhere in the world.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect management’s expectations regarding the Company’s future growth of operations, performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects and opportunities.  These statements are made in the context of the risks and uncertainties that are outlined in the Company’s public documents, which can be accessed on our website at www.patheon.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

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