Barr Pharmaceuticals
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmaceuticals |
| Founded | 1970 in New York, United States |
| Founder | Edwin A. Cohen |
| Fate | Acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries |
| Successor | Teva Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients |
| Headquarters | New York , United States |
Area served | 30 countries |
Key people | Bruce L. Downey (President 1993, Chairman and CEO 1994) |
| Products | Generic and specialty pharmaceuticals, including oral contraceptives, tamoxifen citrate, zidovudine (AZT), warfarin, Plan B emergency contraception |
| Parent | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (from 2008) |
Barr Pharmaceuticals was a manufacturer specializing in both generic and specialty pharmaceuticals, with operations spanning 30 countries. Approximately three-quarters of its income originated from generic medications, including a notable 18% generated by oral contraceptive products.
In 2008, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries acquired Barr for around $7.46 billion, integrating it into the division now known as Teva Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
History
Established in 1970 in New York by Edwin A. Cohen, Barr Laboratories encountered regulatory issues during the early 1990s due to violations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), particularly concerning out-of-specification testing outcomes. This situation culminated in a pivotal 1993 legal case that shaped the FDA's approach to testing protocols.
Bruce L. Downey assumed the role of president in 1993 and advanced to chairman and CEO in 1994. That same year, Barr resolved a patent infringement dispute and introduced a generic tamoxifen citrate product used in breast cancer therapy. By 1995, the company had obtained FDA clearance for generic zidovudine (AZT), an antiretroviral drug for AIDS, and in 1996, it was the first to release a generic version of warfarin following the expiration of DuPont's patent exclusivity.
Barr expanded its product range and market presence through key acquisitions: Duramed Pharmaceuticals was purchased for $589 million in 2001, granting access to women's health offerings; Endeavor Pharmaceuticals was acquired for $35 million in 2003; and Women's Capital, known for producing Plan B emergency contraception, was added to its portfolio in 2004. In 2006, Barr further strengthened its European footprint by acquiring Croatian generic drug manufacturer Pliva.
After these strategic expansions, Barr was merged into Teva Pharmaceutical Industries at the close of 2008, solidifying its role within the international generic pharmaceutical sector.