Teva gets tentative OK for generic version of GSK's Valtrex

Oct 5 (Reuters) - Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.O) said it received tentative approval from U.S. health regulators for its generic version of GlaxoSmithKline Plc's (GSK.L) (GSK.N) antiviral Valtrex tablets.

Final approval for the product is expected in December 2009, the company said in a statement.

Valtrex, which is used to treat herpes infections, had annual sales of about $1.5 billion in the U.S. for the year ended June 30, 2007, Teva said. (Reporting by Aditi Samajpati in Bangalore)