Orion - Company Announcement

Orion sues Mylan in the U.S. to enforce its U.S. patent covering the proprietary drug Comtan®

Orion Corporation          Stock Exchange Release      24 Jan 2011          at
7.25 p.m. EET



Company states generic competition is not imminent



Orion Corporation has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the United States
to enforce Orion's U.S. patent No. 5,446,194 covering Comtan(®) against Mylan
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mylan).

Mylan seeks authorisation to produce and market a generic version of entacapone
200 mg tablets in the United States. Entacapone is the active ingredient in
Comtan, a product originated by Orion Corporation and marketed in the United
States by its exclusive licensee, Novartis, as an adjunct to levodopa/carbidopa
therapy to treat patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease who experience the
signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing-off." At this point, the ANDA review
process is just beginning and generic competition is not imminent.

As reported in December 2010, Orion Corporation was notified that Mylan
submitted an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) that included a Paragraph IV challenge to the above
mentioned patent.

By suing to enforce its patent within 45 days from receipt of the Paragraph IV
certification notice, Orion Corporation is entitled to an automatic stay
prohibiting the FDA from approving the applicant's ANDA for 30 months, or until
an earlier court decision adverse to Orion Corporation's patent in the
infringement lawsuit.  As such, the realisation of generic competition is not
imminent. Orion Corporation will defend the intellectual property rights
covering Comtan.


Orion Corporation

Timo Lappalainen                   Olli Huotari
President and CEO                 Senior VP, Corporate Functions



Contact person:

Olli  Huotari,  Senior  VP,  Corporate  Functions,  phone  +358 10 426 3054, gsm
+358 50 966 3054



Orion is an innovative European R&D-based pharmaceutical and diagnostic company
with a special emphasis on developing medicinal treatments and diagnostic tests
for global markets. Orion develops, manufactures and markets human and
veterinary pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and diagnostic
tests. Orion's pharmaceutical R&D focuses on the following core therapy areas:
central nervous system drugs, cancer and critical care drugs, and Easyhaler(®)
pulmonary drugs.

The Group's net sales in 2009 amounted to EUR 772 million. The Company invested
EUR 95 million in research and development. At the end of 2009, the Group had a
total of 3,100 employees, of whom 2,500 worked in Finland and 600 in other
European countries. Orion's A and B shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.

Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-
looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources,
the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the
outcome of litigation and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional
information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the Annual Report
for 2009.

Publisher:
Orion Corporation
Communications
Orionintie 1A, FI-02200 Espoo
Homepage: www.orion.fi






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