TIDMAZN
RNS Number : 3507G
AstraZeneca PLC
03 March 2015
AstraZeneca COMPLETES acquiSITION OF rights to actavis' Branded
respiratory portfolio in THE US AND CANADA
Acquisition strengthens AstraZeneca's aclidinium respiratory
franchise and adds
immediate revenues with long-term growth potential
AstraZeneca today announced that it has completed the
transaction to acquire the rights to Actavis' branded respiratory
business in the US and Canada.
As previously announced, the strategic transaction strengthens
AstraZeneca's respiratory franchise globally and builds on the
acquisition of Almirall's respiratory portfolio in 2014 by
extending the company's development and commercialisation rights
into the US for both Tudorza Pressair and Duaklir Genuair.
AstraZeneca owns the development and commercial rights in the US
and Canada to Tudorza(TM) Pressair(TM) (aclidinium bromide
inhalation powder), a twice-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist
(LAMA) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to
Daliresp(R) (roflumilast), the only once-daily oral PDE4 inhibitor
currently on the market for COPD, in the US. AstraZeneca also owns
the development rights in the US and Canada for LAS40464, the
combination of a fixed dose of aclidinium with formoterol long
acting beta agonist (LAMA/LABA) in a dry powder inhaler, which is
approved in the EU under the brand name Duaklir(R) Genuair(R).
On completion of the acquisition, AstraZeneca is paying Actavis
$600 million of initial consideration and agreed to pay low
single-digit royalties above a certain revenue threshold.
AstraZeneca has also paid Actavis an additional $100 million for a
number of contractual consents and approvals, including certain
amendments to the ongoing collaboration agreements between
AstraZeneca and Actavis.
About Tudorza Pressair
Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide inhalation powder) 400 mcg
is an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term maintenance
treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and
emphysema. When given by inhalation, aclidinium produces
bronchodilation by inhibiting the muscarinic M3 receptor in the
airway smooth muscle. Aclidinium is rapidly hydrolyzed in human
plasma into two major inactive metabolites.
Tudorza is administered using a multiple-dose dry powder
inhaler, Pressair, which delivers 60 doses of aclidinium bromide
powder for inhalation. The Pressair inhaler has a colored control
window and audible "click" which confirm successful inhalation of
the dose and a dose indicator to let patients know how many doses
remain in the inhaler.
About Daliresp
Daliresp (500mcg) is a selective PDE4 inhibitor that is
indicated as a treatment to reduce the risk of exacerbations in
patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a
history of exacerbations. Daliresp is a once-daily oral tablet and
is the first and only selective PDE4 inhibitor approved by the
FDA.
While the specific mechanism by which Daliresp exerts its
therapeutic action in COPD patients is not well defined, it is
thought to be related to the effects of increased intracellular
cyclic AMP in the lung cells. Daliresp is not a steroid, is not a
bronchodilator and is not indicated for the relief of acute
bronchospasm.
About COPD
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a progressive
disease associated mainly with tobacco smoking, air pollution or
occupational exposure, which can cause obstruction of airflow in
the lungs resulting in debilitating bouts of breathlessness. It
affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide and is predicted
to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. Although COPD is
widely regarded as a disease of the elderly, 50 per cent of
patients are estimated to be between 50 and 65 years of age,
meaning half of the COPD population is likely to be affected at a
stage in their life when they are at the peak of their earning
potential and are likely to have major family responsibilities.
About Actavis
Actavis Plc (NYSE:ACT), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a
unique specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing,
manufacturing and commercializing high quality affordable generic
and innovative branded pharmaceutical products for patients around
the world.
Actavis markets a broad portfolio of branded and generic
pharmaceuticals and develops innovative medicines for patients
suffering from diseases principally in the central nervous system,
gastroenterology, women's health, urology, cardiovascular,
respiratory and anti-infective therapeutic categories. The Company
is an industry leader in product research and development, with one
of the broadest brand development pipelines in the pharmaceutical
industry, and a leading position in the submission of generic
product applications. Actavis has commercial operations in more
than 60 countries and operates more than 30 manufacturing and
distribution facilities around the world.
For more information, visit Actavis' website at
www.actavis.com.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical
business that focuses on the discovery, development and
commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the
treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation,
autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases.
AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more
information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
CONTACTS
Media Enquiries
Esra Erkal-Paler +44 20 7604 8030 (UK/Global)
Vanessa Rhodes +44 20 7604 8037 (UK/Global)
Ayesha Bharmal +44 20 7604 8034 (UK/Global)
Michele Meixell +1 302 885 2677 (US)
Jacob Lund +46 8 553 260 20 (Sweden)
Investor Enquiries
Thomas Kudsk Larsen +44 20 7604 8199 mob: +44 7818 524185
Karl Hård +44 20 7604 8123 mob: +44 7789 654364
Eugenia Litz +44 20 7604 8233 mob: +44 7884 735627
Craig Marks +44 20 7604 8591 mob: +44 7881 615764
Christer Gruvris +44 20 7604 8126 mob: +44 7827 836825
03 March 2015
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