New Facility to Support Generic Pharmaceutical Product Development; Employ Approximately 50 Scientists, Chemists, Engineers, and Support Staff

PARSIPPANY, NJ – January 30, 2012 – Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced plans to establish a Global R&D Technology Center in North Brunswick, New Jersey.  The Company has signed a lease for a 32,000-square-foot facility at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Technology Centre of New Jersey, a 50-acre complex consisting of lab, production and office space. Watson intends to initially invest approximately $4.5 million in outfitting the new facility.  

The Company plans to immediately retrofit approximately 19,000 square feet of space for product development and analytical laboratories.  The remaining 13,000 square feet will accommodate future expansion.  The facility, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012, will employ approximately 50 scientists, chemists, engineers and support staff.   

“Watson is pleased to continue to work with Governor Chris Christie, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno and the Partnership for Action team as we expand our presence in New Jersey,” said Paul Bisaro, President and CEO of Watson.  “The location of the new Global R&D Technology Center will enable Watson to leverage our proximity to such educational centers of excellence as Rutgers University. This will enable Watson to establish collaborations with University departments including pharmaceutics, chemistry and engineering and permit us to benefit from the talent pool in the heart of the pharmaceutical industry of New Jersey.   

“This new center will become Watson’s state-of-the-art facility for developing generic pharmaceutical products, in particular for inhalation technology and respiratory products, with the ability to conduct formulation development and analytical testing. In addition, in line with Watson’s commitment to Quality by Design of pharmaceutical products this center will focus on process analytical technology, packaging development, pharmaceutical technology, inhalation technology and new technology evaluation. We are proud to continue our growth in the Garden State, and to benefit from the quality of life and quality and commitment of the local talent pool,” Bisaro continued. 

In early 2010 Watson relocated its global corporate headquarters to Parsippany, NJ, in a facility designed to support its global expansion and ultimately employ as many as 500 people.  In the new, 149,000-square-foot Parsippany facility, Watson combined senior management and global generics and brands administrative functions previously in separate facilities in the Morristown and Parsippany, NJ area, as well as relocated remaining corporate leadership functions including Finance and Legal functions that had previously been located at Watson’s Corona, California site, into a larger space that enabled the Company to more efficiently manage its growing global generic and brand pharmaceutical and biologics businesses around the world. 

“Watson’s decision to further expand in New Jersey shows the Christie-Guadagno strategy to attract business, rebuild New Jersey’s economy and create jobs is working,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.  “Strengthening the state’s competitive position in the life sciences is a priority, and the commitment by a global pharmaceutical leader like Watson is proof that companies are finding New Jersey increasingly attractive.” 

Through advocacy and business incentives, the New Jersey Partnership for Action helped to encourage Watson to choose New Jersey for its new R&D facility.  The Partnership is a three-pronged public-private approach to economic development that includes the Business Action Center, which reports directly to Lt. Governor Guadagno and provides the business community with a single point of contact, applying a proactive, customer-service approach to businesses’ interactions with state government, Choose New Jersey, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation created to encourage and nurture economic growth throughout the state, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which serves as the state’s “bank for business.” 

Watson was represented in the transaction by the Cushman & Wakefield team of Executive Director John Minervini and Senior Director Ron Ganter, while Jones Lang LaSalle Senior Vice President Jim Medenbach represented the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. 

With its new location at the Technology Centre of New Jersey complex, Watson joins such prestigious companies as Merial Limited, Chromocell Corporation and Rutgers Technology Center II — home to WINLAB and Energy Storage Research Group. The complex also includes the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies, which houses 22 emerging technology companies and is one of only 23 business incubation programs from around the world that have earned the Soft Landings International Incubator designation from the National Business Incubation Association. 

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading integrated global pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women’s Health. Watson has operations in many of the world’s established and growing international markets.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson’s current perspective of existing information as of the date of this release.  It is important to note that Watson’s goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from Watson’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors, risks and uncertainties affecting Watson’s business. These include, among others, such factors, risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson’s periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2011. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

N.J. Boasts Two of Only 23 Incubators In the World to Earn International Honor

TRENTON, N.J. (Jan. 25, 2012) – New Jersey’s growing reputation as a prime location to place and grow a business was further validated recently when the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) awarded its Soft Landings International Incubator designation to the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (EDA’s) Technology Centre of New Jersey in North Brunswick. 

The designation recognizes incubators that are especially capable of helping nondomestic companies enter the domestic market with translation services, cutting through red tape, accessing capital, domestic market research, and other programs. 

“This designation makes New Jersey even more attractive to fledgling foreign businesses seeking to establish a United States presence,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.  “As these small foreign companies come to New Jersey to mature and grow, they’ll stay in New Jersey, expand their workforce by hiring New Jerseyans, and contribute further to our economy.   

New Jersey is now home to two of only 23 small business incubators in the world that have earned the Soft Landings designation.  The Enterprise Development Center (EDC), a business incubator operated and sponsored by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), was awarded the designation in 2010. 

“The Christie Administration has made clear to the nation and the world that New Jersey is a place where businesses can thrive, and this is further proof that New Jersey is increasingly recognized as an ideal place for foreign direct investment,” continued Guadagno.  “This honor rightfully acknowledges New Jersey’s success at attracting foreign businesses and creating jobs.” 

Tim King, NBIA’s International Programs Operations Manager, said that both New Jersey incubators earned the Soft Landings designation because of their array of business services for nondomestic firms and demonstrated success helping firms enter the U.S. market. 

“New Jersey’s business incubation program is a catalyst for the development of young companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks, and tools they need to make their ventures a success,” King said. 

The Soft Landings designation is for two years.  Incubators must reapply for continuing designation.  CCIT’s recent designation marks its third consecutive Soft Landings award, following its initial designation in 2007 and subsequent renewal in 2009. 

The Christie Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to growing business in New Jersey.  The EDA is part of the state’s results-driven Partnership for Action.  Created by Gov. Chris Christie and led by Lt. Gov. Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey.  It is comprised of three interconnected and highly focused organizational elements, which include Choose New Jersey, Business Action Center, and EDA.  The Partnership’s goals include attracting new business, and helping existing businesses thrive, in New Jersey by focusing on relationship building and person to person outreach, promoting the state’s incentives and resources, developing pro-growth policies, and assisting businesses in navigating state government and programs.

Click here for an audio clip of Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.  Transcript of the audio is below:

“This designation signals to foreign companies around the world that New Jersey is the ideal place to set up business operations when they want to expand anywhere in the United States.  For New Jersey, these companies establishing operations here are going to begin to grow here, continue to grow here, so it’s great for the economic future of New Jersey.”

MyCentralJersey.com
January 23, 2012

UNION COUNTY – If you own or manage a business in Union County, or if you are planning to start one, come to the free Union County Means Business networking breakfast series. The series is designed to help business owners learn about grants, loans, social media, employee recruitment, and other resources that can help them grow and succeed. 

The kickoff session will feature Caren S. Franzini, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. It will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at the Kean University STEM Building, 1000 Morris Ave. in Union Township. 

All sessions are free but preregistration is required by visiting the Union County website at http://ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200. 

Union County Means Business, an initiative of Chairman Alexander Mirabella, is designed to provide Union County businesses with information that can help them increase productivity and achieve profitability. 

The series is sponsored by the freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College. 

“All business owners and managers are welcome to the series, but we are especially reaching out to those who are feeling overwhelmed by some of the obstacles in their path,” said Mirabella. “We want this to be a welcoming experience where everyone can come to learn and grow together.” 

All Union County Means Business breakfast networking sessions are open to owners and managers of businesses in Union County, and to prospective owners who are considering starting a business in Union County. Union County residency is not required.

By Hugh Morley/The Record
January 22, 2012 

*  State authority teams with Citibank to offer low-interest loans to help businesses expand international reach. 

Small businesses looking for help in going global just got lucky. 

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has agreed to partner with Citibank N.A. in a three-year program to provide low-interest loans to businesses looking to expand through international trade. 

The program will provide companies already engaged in global trade with a source of low-interest loans, where they previously would have had to find a regularly priced loan to help them expand, said Tim Lizura, senior vice president for the EDA. 

“It provides capital for companies to grow and expand at below-market rates costs,” he said. “It really strengthens our international trade position.” 

Companies that get loans will also gain access to Citibank’s worldwide network of offices that can provide help in tapping foreign markets, Lizura said. 

Citibank is putting up about $50 million, and the EDA will provide partial guarantees of up to 50 percent of the loans. 

To be eligible, businesses must have been in business for at least two years and have annual sales of $5 million to $50 million, and be doing business in New Jersey. 

The loan interest will be between half and three-quarters of a percentage point below market prices. 

Manufacturers that receive loans must maintain their level of employment in New Jersey for the life of the loan. And non-manufacturers must add one job for each $50,000 of the loan, Lizura said. 

Although final details for the program won’t be outlined until March, Lizura said his agency has already been contacted by a South Jersey food company that is expanding its trade with China. 

The company is looking for a loan to create new bottling lines and pay for other equipment needed to expand in Asia and New Jersey, Lizura said.

By Stacy Jones/Star-Ledger
January 20, 2012

Landing an interview and landing in the recycling bin can depend on how job applicants sells their skills and experience.

People who have been unemployed for a long time can have an especially hard time convincing a potential employer they’re worthy of a job title that’s not already on their resume.

That’s where OnRamp comes in.

The New Jersey Department of Labor showed off its new job search engine yesterday at the One-Stop Career Center on Broad Street in Newark. Jobseekers can use the search engine, which appears on Jobs4Jersey.com, to comb through listings on 2,4000 websites, and next month employers will be able to post openings to OnRamp directly.

Labor commissioner Harold Wirths and workforce field operations director Paul Macchia said the system will help jobseekers identify positions that match their skills and customize their resumes for each employer’s requirements.

“Our old system matched you with your old job title, but that doesn’t help if your industry is gone,” Paul Macchia, director of the division of workforce field operations, said yesterday. “If you used to work at Eastman Kodak, which filed for bankruptcy this morning, you’re going to have a hard time finding another job as a film chemist.”

In another example, he said that New Jersey’s building and cosntruction industry has experienced a 25 percent to 50 percent unemployment rate since new home starts plummeted during the recession.

If someone who spent 10 years working with heavy machinery used OnRamp to create a resume, Macchia said, it could help them market that experience to companies that sell or repair the machines they’re so familiar with.

“We are developing tools to link people to jobs in New Jersey,” said Wirths. “We could have thrown everything but the kitchen sink into OnRamp, but we didn’t do that. We were going for quality and simplicity.”

And there are plenty of people looking. Just hours earlier the state announced that its unemployment rate had dropped one-tenth of a percentage point to 9 percent.

As of yesterday more than 30,000 people had uploaded their resumes to the OnRamp site since it went live in November, he said. It currently lists 80,000 in-state positions and 250,000 jobs in neighboring states.

OnRamp “spiders” or cultivates listings from 2,400 employment sites like Monster.com and catalogs them in its database, breaking apart job listings to make them searchable by the skills required.

Job agencies unaffiliated with the state will be allowed to post job openings and help jobseekers create accounts on the system after they sign an agreement that prohibits them from charging people money for access to OnRamp or its listings, said Macchia.

The state worked with Burning Glass Technologies, a Boston-based company that specializes in creating systems to match people with jobs, to revamp its 10-year-old employment database.

“So far it’s been working well, we’re able help more people look for work,” said Twanna Brewer of Newark.

She’s been a resume workshop facilitators at the Newark re-employment center for two years and said that customers appreciate the ability to tweak and reword their resume for different positions.

For now the site’s services will be available to job seekers, said Macchia. The labor department has started showing off its new system to New Jersey employers.

“We want to test it and work out the kinks with job seekers,” said Macchia. “When we open it up to employers, each of the career centers will have a business rep to help with listings.”