AstraZeneca, a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company, has completed the transaction to acquire the rights to Actavis’ branded respiratory business in the US and Canada.

As previously announced, the strategic transaction strengthens AstraZeneca’s respiratory franchise globally and builds on the acquisition of Almirall’s respiratory portfolio in 2014 by extending the company’s development and commercialisation rights into the US for both Tudorza Pressair and Duaklir Genuair.

AstraZeneca owns the development and commercial rights in the US and Canada to Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide inhalation powder), a twice-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to Daliresp (roflumilast), the only once-daily oral PDE4 inhibitor currently on the market for COPD, in the US. AstraZeneca also owns the development rights in the US and Canada for LAS40464, the combination of a fixed dose of aclidinium with formoterol long acting beta agonist (LAMA/LABA) in a dry powder inhaler, which is approved in the EU under the brand name Duaklir Genuair.

On completion of the acquisition, AstraZeneca is paying Actavis $600 million of initial consideration and agreed to pay low single-digit royalties above a certain revenue threshold. AstraZeneca has also paid Actavis an additional $100 million for a number of contractual consents and approvals, including certain amendments to the ongoing collaboration agreements between AstraZeneca and Actavis.

Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide inhalation powder) 400 mcg is an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. When given by inhalation, aclidinium produces bronchodilation by inhibiting the muscarinic M3 receptor in the airway smooth muscle. Aclidinium is rapidly hydrolyzed in human plasma into two major inactive metabolites.

Daliresp (500mcg) is a selective PDE4 inhibitor that is indicated as a treatment to reduce the risk of exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations. Daliresp is a once-daily oral tablet and is the first and only selective PDE4 inhibitor approved by the FDA.

Actavis Plc, 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.