FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of October 2019
Commission File Number: 001-11960
AstraZeneca PLC
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
AstraZeneca PLC
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
1.
AstraZeneca divests rights for Losec to Cheplapharm
01 October 2019 07:05 BST
AstraZeneca divests rights for Losec to Cheplapharm
Agreement supports AstraZeneca's focus on three main therapy areas
AstraZeneca has agreed to sell the global commercial rights, excluding China, Japan, the US and Mexico, for Losec (omeprazole) and associated brands to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH (Cheplapharm).
The divestment includes medicines containing omeprazole marketed by AstraZeneca or its collaborators under the Acimax, Antra, Mepral, Mopral, Omepral and Zoltum medicine names.
Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals, said: "This agreement forms part of our strategy of reducing the portfolio of mature medicines to enable reinvestment in our main therapy areas, accelerating the number of innovative new medicines for patients with high unmet medical need. We already have an excellent relationship with Cheplapharm, and their strong European presence and global distribution network will help ensure continued patient access to Losec."
AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply Losec and its associated medicines and commercialise the medicine in markets where it still holds the rights.
Financial considerations
Cheplapharm will pay AstraZeneca approximately $243 million on completion of the agreement, plus sales-contingent milestones of up to $33 million in 2021 and 2022. Income arising from the upfront payment will be reported in the Company's financial statements in 2019 as Other Operating Income. In 2018, Losecsales in the countries covered by this agreement were $98 million, the majority of which were in Emerging Markets. The agreement does not change the Company's financial guidance for 2019. As there were no closing considerations to the transaction, the agreement became effective upon signing.
About Losec
Losec is a proton pump inhibitor discovered and developed by AstraZeneca, which helps to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach in patients with gastrointestinal reflux conditions and ulcers. It has a number of approved indications and is commonly prescribed for patients with gastro oesophageal reflux disease.
The commercial rights to Losec and other omeprazole medicines in the US, Japan and Mexico, as well as the commercial rights to the over-the-counter version in France, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand and the Netherlands were previously divested.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), and Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
Media Relations | ||
Gonzalo Viña | +44 203 749 5916 | |
Rob Skelding | Oncology | +44 203 749 5821 |
Rebecca Einhorn | Oncology | +1 301 518 4122 |
Matt Kent | BioPharmaceuticals | +44 203 749 5906 |
Jennifer Hursit | Other | +44 203 749 5762 |
Christina Malmberg Hägerstrand | Sweden | +46 8 552 53 106 |
Michele Meixell | US | +1 302 885 2677 |
Investor Relations | ||
Thomas Kudsk Larsen | +44 203 749 5712 | |
Henry Wheeler | Oncology | +44 203 749 5797 |
Christer Gruvris | BioPharmaceuticals (CV, metabolism) | +44 203 749 5711 |
Nick Stone | BioPharmaceuticals (respiratory, renal) | +44 203 749 5716 |
Josie Afolabi | Other medicines | +44 203 749 5631 |
Craig Marks | Finance, fixed income | +44 7881 615 764 |
Jennifer Kretzmann | Corporate access, retail investors | +44 203 749 5824 |
US toll-free | +1 866 381 72 77 |
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AstraZeneca PLC |
Date: 01 October 2019
By: /s/ Adrian Kemp | |
Name: Adrian Kemp | |
Title: Company Secretary |