AstraZeneca completes acquisition for North America tilt

BIOPHARMACUETICAL company AstraZeneca has acquired the rights to Actavis’ branded respiratory business in the US and Canada for an initial consideration of £380m ($600m).

The company says the strategic transaction strengthens AstraZeneca’s respiratory franchise globally and builds on the acquisition of Almirall’s respiratory portfolion in 2014 by extending its development and commercialisation rights into the US for both Tudorza Pressair and Duaklir Genuair, treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

AstraZeneca which has a base at Hurdsfield factory in Macclesfield, has also paid Actavis an additional £65m ($100m) for a number of contractual consents and approvals, including certain amendments to the ongoing collaboration agreements between AstraZeneca and Actavis.

Actavis, 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.