AstraZeneca divests Atacand commercial rights to Cheplapharm

AstraZeneca has completed the divestment of commercial rights to Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and Atacand Plus in over 70 countries to German pharmaceutical firm Cheplapharm Arzneimittel.

A prescription medicine, Atacand is approved for treating heart failure (HF) and hypertension.

Atacand Plus is a fixed-dose blend of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide and is approved for treating hypertension.

Developed in partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical, Atacand was co-marketed by the companies in certain counties while each firm had the exclusive rights to it in some countries.

Under the deal, AstraZeneca received $250m from Cheplapharm.

In addition, the company will get further non-contingent payments of around $150m during the first half of this year.

In October, AstraZeneca agreed to sell the commercial rights to Atacand and Atacand Plus in around 70 countries to Cheplapharm for $400m.

Separately, Takeda Pharmaceutical has completed the sale of a portfolio of select prescription products to Cheplapharm for $562m.

The portfolio comprises 16 prescription pharmaceutical products sold mainly in Europe, part of the company’s Europe and Canada business unit.

In September, Takeda signed an agreement to divest a portfolio of certain non-core assets sold primarily in Europe and Canada to Cheplapharm.

The divested portfolio includes non-core prescription pharmaceuticals across various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular / metabolic and anti-inflammatory products along with Calcium.

These products are not part of Takeda’s five core business areas: Gastroenterology, Rare Diseases, Plasma-Derived Therapies, Oncology and Neuroscience.

Takeda noted that it is focused on carrying out its long-term growth strategy to enhance business mix around our key areas and streamlining operations by providing patients with novel therapies in these areas.