Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc, the fast growing multinational pharmaceutical group, has announces that it has signed an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with Orion Corporation of Finland (Orion), for its new Easyhaler combination product, a dry powder inhaler (DPI) of budesonide and formoterol, for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma has the exclusive rights to register, distribute, market and sell the product in all of its MENA markets, leveraging Hikma’s strong local presence, sales and marketing capabilities and regulatory expertise.

Mazen Darwazah, vice chairman and chief executive officer of MENA and emerging markets said, “We are pleased to be adding this important product to our respiratory pipeline and we hope this collaboration with Orion will be the beginning of a long partnership for its Easyhaler® device products in the MENA region. Global partnerships are an integral part of our strategy to grow our portfolio in key therapeutic areas and improve patients’ access to high-quality medicines.”

Markku Huhta-Koivisto, senior vice president of Orion's proprietary products division, commented, "I am excited about this collaboration between Orion and Hikma and look forward to having such a strong partner in the MENA region supporting the expansion of our Easyhaler business. This collaboration is also an excellent opportunity to deepen our longstanding relationship with Hikma. We’re confident that the good momentum we have for our Easyhaler products will continue and that this partnership with Hikma will, for its part, strengthen Orion's strategic objective to become a stronger player in the field of respiratory medication."