AstraZeneca PLC — Regulatory Filings 2018

Jul 24, 2018

6-K 1 a5182v.htm ATACAND TO BE DIVESTED TO CHEPLAPHARM IN EUROPE Document created using Blueprint(R) - powered by Issuer Direct - www.issuerdirect.com Copyright 2018 Issuer Direct Corporation Blueprint

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 July 2018

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 __

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______

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.

Yes __ No X

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.

Atacand to be divested to Cheplapharm in Europe

24 July 2018 07:00 BST

Atacand to be divested to Cheplapharm in Europe

Agreement expands the commercial potential of Atacand in 28 European countries

AstraZeneca has agreed to sell the commercial rights to Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and Atacand Plus (fixed-dose combination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide) in Europe to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH (Cheplapharm). Atacand is a prescription medicine for the treatment of heart failure and hypertension.

Mark Mallon, Executive Vice President, Global Product & Portfolio Strategy at AstraZeneca, said: "This agreement forms part of our strategy of streamlining our portfolio of mature medicines to enable reinvestment in our main therapy areas and bringing new medicines to patients. Cheplapharm's strong European presence will help expand the commercial potential of Atacand ."

The agreement is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2018. AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply Atacand and Atacand Plus under a supply agreement and will continue to commercialise the medicines in all markets where it still holds the rights .

Financial considerations

Cheplapharm will pay AstraZeneca $200 million on completion of the agreement, plus a time-bound payment of $10 million and sales-contingent milestones. The upfront and time-bound payments are expected to be reported in the Company's financial statements in 2018. All income is expected to be reported as Other Operating Income. In 2017, global Product Sales for Atacand and Atacand Plus were $300 million, including $86 million in Europe. The agreement does not impact the Company's financial guidance for FY 2018.

About Atacand

Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) is a selective, AT1 subtype angiotensin II receptor antagonist blocker (ARB) that is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Atacand is also available in Europe as a fixed-dose combination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide ( Atacand Plus ). Atacand is indicated for the management of hypertension in adults and children/adolescents, as well as heart failure in adults. Atacand Plus is indicated for the management of hypertension when monotherapy is not sufficiently effective. Atacand was developed in collaboration with Takeda. Each company holds the exclusive rights to the product in certain markets. In other markets, Atacand is co-marketed by both parties.

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 & Metabolism and Respiratory. 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 and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

| Media
Relations — Karen
Birmingham | UK/Global | +44 203
749 5634 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rob
Skelding | UK/Global | +44 203
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Kent | UK/Global | +44 203
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749 5797 |
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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: 24 July 2018

| By: /s/
Adrian Kemp |
| --- |
| Name:
Adrian Kemp |
| Title:
Company Secretary |

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