EATONTOWN, N.J., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation
(AMEX: RPC) announced today that it has completed the purchase of a
pharmaceutical manufacturing facility from Searle Canada, a unit of Monsanto
Company (NYSE: MTC).  In addition to existing manufacturing and packaging
operations, the 100,852 square foot facility includes warehouse,
administrative, and QC/QA laboratory space.  The facility, located in
Oakville, Ontario, is approved by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
and the Health Protection Branch of Canada.
    Roberts has historically outsourced all its manufacturing and packaging
functions.  With the purchase of the Oakville facility, the Company
anticipates several benefits which, over time, will include substantial cost
savings through reduced cost of goods; lower inventory levels and greater
flexibility to match product supply with demand; and the integration of
Roberts Pharmaceutical Canada from leased space in Mississauga, Ontario
to the Oakville site.
    Plans have already been initiated to effect transfer of production of
certain over-the-counter products from third party manufacturers to Oakville
in the second half of 1997.  This will be followed by a phase-in of the
Company's Canadian, U.K. and then U.S. prescription products.  Also, Searle
has agreed to lease back space from Roberts for a time.  Additionally,
Roberts and Searle have agreed in principle for Roberts to fulfill certain of
Searle's packaging and clinical supply requirements.  Roberts may also
consider contract manufacturing for other pharmaceutical companies.
    Commenting on today's announcement, Dr. Robert A. Vukovich, President and
CEO of Roberts, said, "We are excited about the potential benefits we expect
to realize with expanded utilization of the facility, and we plan to maximize
that potential through a two-year, $15 million capital improvement program
designed to further customize the facility to our needs."  He concluded by
noting, "In addition to the recent launches of our first two proprietary
drugs, the commencement of manufacturing operations is a significant milestone
in Roberts strategy to position itself for long-term growth as a fully
integrated pharmaceutical company."
    Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation, with operating subsidiaries in the
United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, focuses on new health care
solutions through the acquisition and development of specialty
pharmaceuticals.  The Company's first proprietary product, ProAmatine (R), was
recently launched in the U.S. as the first FDA cleared drug to treat
orthostatic hypotension.   Agrylin (TM), Roberts second pipeline product, has
since been launched as the first FDA approved drug for treating essential
thrombocythemia.
    This release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect
management's current views of future events and operations.  These forward-
looking statements are based on assumptions and external factors, including
assumptions relating to regulatory action and competing products.  Any changes
in such assumptions or external factors could produce significantly different
results.

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