Monday, 3 February 2014
AstraZeneca today announced that it completed, on 1 February 2014, the acquisition of the entirety of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s interests in the companies’ diabetes alliance.
As previously announced, the acquisition gives AstraZeneca ownership of the intellectual property and global rights for the development, manufacture and commercialisation of the diabetes business, which includes Onglyza® (saxagliptin), Kombiglyze™ XR (saxagliptin and metformin HCl extended release), Komboglyze™ (saxagliptin and metformin HCl), dapagliflozin (marketed as Forxiga® outside the US and Farxiga® in the US), Xigduo™ (dapagliflozin and metformin HCl), Byetta® (exenatide), Bydureon® (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension), metreleptin and Symlin® (pramlintide acetate).
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: “I extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues and I’m delighted with the speed at which we’ve completed the acquisition which reinforces our long-term commitment to patients with diabetes. Under a single leadership, we will maximise the potential of our innovative portfolio of non-insulin anti-diabetic medicines, bringing fresh momentum to our growth ambitions for this franchise.”
On completion of the acquisition, AstraZeneca paid Bristol-Myers Squibb $2.7 billion of initial consideration. AstraZeneca has also agreed to pay up to $1.4 billion in regulatory, launch and sales payments, and various sales-related royalty payments up until 2025, $600 million of which relates to the approval of Farxiga in the US. In addition, AstraZeneca may make payments of up to $225 million when certain assets are subsequently transferred.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About Type 2 Diabetes
In 2013, diabetes was estimated to affect more than 380 million people worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is projected to reach more than 592 million by 2035. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 85% to 95% of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in adults.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by insulin resistance and dysfunction of beta cells in the pancreas, leading to elevated glucose levels. Over time, this sustained hyperglycaemia contributes to further progression of the disease. Significant unmet needs still exist, as many patients remain inadequately controlled on their current glucose-lowering regimen.
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
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