Akorn, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKRX) today announced the appointment of Jeffrey A. Whitnell as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Whitnell will work in this capacity under the oversight of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors until a new CEO is named. As the company has previously announced, the Special Committee was established to oversee the operations of the company while the search for a new CEO is underway.

Mr. Whitnell joined Akorn in June 2004 as its Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He was further appointed Secretary and Treasurer in August 2004 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in November 2004.

About Akorn, Inc.

Akorn, Inc. manufactures and markets sterile specialty pharmaceuticals. Akorn has manufacturing facilities located in Decatur, Illinois and Somerset, New Jersey and markets and distributes an extensive line of hospital and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Additional information is available at the Company’s website at www.akorn.com.

Materials in this press release may contain information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give our expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future steps we may take, prospective products, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies such as legal proceedings, and financial results.

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Akorn, Inc.
Jeffrey A. Whitnell, 847-279-6100
Chief Financial Officer