Patheon Opens New U.S. Headquarters and Analytical Laboratory Facility in Research Triangle Park, NC

    Website: www.patheon.com

    RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - Patheon (TSX:PTI), a global
provider of drug development and manufacturing services to the international
pharmaceutical industry is pleased to announce the opening of its new U.S.
headquarters and analytical lab facilities in the vicinity of Research
Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina.
    Established nearly five decades ago on 7,000 acres of land, Research
Triangle Park has evolved into an international hub for high-tech, award
winning research and development. Patheon joins over 170 other companies
currently headquartered in this region of North Carolina.
    In addition to the new U.S. headquarters facility, Patheon has opened a
new pharmaceutical development laboratory in RTP. This laboratory will support
Patheon's current U.S.-based pharmaceutical development operations in
Cincinnati and will initially offer stability studies, validation testing and
analytical chemistry services.
    Wes Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer and President of Patheon Inc.,
stated: "North Carolina is a rapidly growing center for the pharmaceutical
industry, which now boasts 334 biotechnology-related companies. It is a
pro-business community which combines attractive corporate incentives with a
high quality of life for our employees. We are delighted to open our new U.S.
headquarters and our new laboratory here, in the vicinity of Research Triangle
Park."
    To mark this special occasion, Patheon will host state and local
officials, customers and employees at a ribbon cutting ceremony on December
10, 2008 at their new U.S. headquarters, located in the Imperial Center at
4721 Emperor Boulevard, Durham, NC. The laboratory facility is a few miles
away in Research Triangle Park.
    North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain stated, "We are delighted
to welcome Patheon to North Carolina. The addition of such a well-respected
company can only enhance our state's reputation as a world leader in the
biopharmaceutical sector and we look forward to Patheon being a member of our
corporate community."

    ABOUT PATHEON

    Patheon Inc. (TSX: PTI; www.patheon.com) is a leading global provider of
contract development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical
industry. Patheon prides itself in providing the highest quality products and
services to more than 300 of the world's leading pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies. Patheon's services range from preclinical development
through commercial manufacturing of a full array of dosage forms including
parenteral, solid, semi-solid and liquid forms. Patheon uses many innovative
technologies including single-use disposables, Liquid-Filled Hard Capsules and
a variety of modified release technologies.
    Patheon's comprehensive range of fully integrated Pharmaceutical
Development Services includes pre-formulation, formulation, analytical
development, clinical manufacturing, scale-up and commercialization. Patheon
can take customers direct to clinic with global clinical packaging and
distribution services and Patheon's Quick to Clinic(TM) programs can
accelerate early phase development project to clinical trials while minimizing
the consumption of valuable API. Patheon's integrated network strives to
ensure that customer products can be launched with confidence globally.

    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.

    %SEDAR: 00001700E

For further information: Mr. Wes Wheeler, President & Chief Executive
Officer, Tel: (919) 226-3201, Email: wes.wheeler@patheon.com; Mr. Eric Evans,
Chief Financial Officer, Tel: (919) 226-3204, Email: eric.evans@patheon.com;
Ms. Jean Treadwell, Investor Relations, Tel: (905) 816-8344, Email:
jean.treadwell@patheon.com