AstraZeneca today announced it has entered into a commercialisation agreement with Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI), part of the Aspen Group, for rights to its global anaesthetics portfolio outside the US. The agreement covers seven established medicines - Diprivan (general anaesthesia), EMLA (topical anaesthetic) and five local anaesthetics (Xylocaine/Xylocard/Xyloproct, Marcaine, Naropin, Carbocaine and Citanest).
Under the terms of the agreement, AGI will acquire the commercialisation rights, outside the US, to AstraZeneca’s portfolio of anaesthetic medicines for an upfront consideration of $520 million. Additionally, AGI will pay AstraZeneca up to $250 million in a Product Sales-related payment, as well as double-digit percentage trademark royalties on Product Sales. AstraZeneca will manufacture and supply the products on a cost plus basis to AGI for an initial period of 10 years. Upon completion, Aspen will assume responsibility for all activities relating to the sale of the portfolio in all relevant markets.
Pascal Soriot, Chief Executive Officer, AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca has a rich heritage in anaesthetic medicines and this agreement will extend the reach of our established portfolio to a greater number of patients through AGI’s extensive commercial network. This agreement supports our strategic focus on the new medicines in three main therapy areas."
Stephen Saad, Group Chief Executive, Aspen, said: "This is a strategically-important investment for AGI and it is pleasing to have a company such as AstraZeneca recognise Aspen’s commercial competencies. This transaction is an excellent opportunity to build on the quality brands commercialised through AGI, working alongside an acknowledged pioneer and leader in the field of anaesthetics."
AstraZeneca's portfolio of anaesthetics is available in over a hundred countries worldwide, including key markets such as China, Japan, Australia and Brazil. The portfolio continues to generate stable revenue, with global Product Sales in 2015 of $592 million. The US rights to the products were divested to Abraxis, now part of Fresenius Kabi, in 2006.
Financial considerations
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is anticipated to complete in the third quarter of 2016. AstraZeneca will retain a significant ongoing interest in the anaesthetics portfolio through ongoing milestone and royalty payments and the manufacture and supply of the products to Aspen. The upfront and milestone payments, as well as royalty receipts, which are open-ended, will therefore be reported as Externalisation Revenue in the Company’s financial statements. The agreement will not impact the Company’s financial guidance for 2016.
About Aspen
Aspen is a leading global player in specialty and generic pharmaceuticals with an extensive basket of products that provide treatment for a broad spectrum of acute and chronic conditions experienced through all stages of life. Aspen continues to increase the number of lives benefitting from its products, reaching more than 150 countries.
Aspen has a strong presence in both emerging and developed countries. Its emerging market footprint includes Sub-Saharan Africa (where it is the largest pharmaceutical company), Latin America, South East Asia, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, comprising Russia and the former Soviet Republics. From a developed-world perspective Aspen is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Australia and has a growing presence in other developed countries, most notably in Western Europe.
Aspen operates with an established business presence in approximately 50 countries spanning 6 continents and employs more than 10,000 people. The Group operates 26 manufacturing facilities across 18 sites. Aspen holds international-manufacturing approvals from some of the most stringent global regulatory agencies including the FDA, TGA and EMA. Aspen’s manufacturing capabilities are scalable to demand and cover a wide variety of product-types including oral solid dose, liquids, semi-solids, steriles, biologicals, APIs and INs.
Aspen, with a market capitalisation of approximately $10 billion, is the largest pharmaceutical company listed on the JSE Limited (share code: APN) and ranks amongst the top-20 listed companies on this exchange.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - oncology; respiratory and autoimmunity; and cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We are also active in infection, neuroscience and inflammatory diseases through collaborations with others. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide.