Blueprint
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of December 2016
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
 United Kingdom
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X            Form 40-F  __
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):            
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes  __                 No X
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):   82-_____________
 
23 December 2016 07:00
 
ASTRAZENECA COMPLETES SALE OF SMALL
MOLECULE ANTIBIOTICS BUSINESS TO PFIZER
 
AstraZeneca today announced that it has completed the agreement with Pfizer Inc. for the sale of the commercialisation and development rights to its late-stage small molecule antibiotics business, comprising the approved antibiotics Merrem, Zinforo and Zavicefta, and ATM-AVI and CXL, which are in clinical development.
 
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca has received a payment of $550 million for the commercialisation and development rights to the late-stage antibiotics business in all markets where AstraZeneca holds the rights. In addition, Pfizer will pay a further $175 million in January 2019, up to $250 million in commercial, manufacturing and regulatory milestones, up to $600 million in sales-related payments as well as recurring, double-digit royalties on future sales of Zavicefta and ATM-AVI in certain markets.
 
As AstraZeneca will not maintain a significant future interest in the late-stage small molecule antibiotics business, all payments will be reported as Other Operating Income in the Company's financial statements. The $550 million upfront and $175 million unconditional payment will both be booked in the fourth quarter of 2016, net of a product intangible.
 
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led 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, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases and Respiratory. The Company also is selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. 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 and follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
 
Media Enquiries
 
 
 
Neil Burrows
 
UK/Global
 
+44 203 749 5637
 
Vanessa Rhodes
 
UK/Global
 
+44 203 749 5736
 
Karen Birmingham
 
UK/Global
 
+44 203 749 5634
 
Rob Skelding
 
UK/Global
 
+44 203 749 5821
 
Jacob Lund
 
Sweden
 
+46 8 553 260 20
 
Michele Meixell
 
US
 
+1 302 885 2677
 
Investor Relations
 
 
Thomas Kudsk Larsen
 
 
+44 203 749 5712
 
Craig Marks
 
Finance, Fixed Income, M&A
 
+44 7881 615 764
 
Henry Wheeler
 
Oncology
 
+44 203 749 5797
 
Mitchell Chan
 
Oncology
 
+1 240 477 3771
 
Lindsey Trickett
 
Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases
 
+1 240 543 7970
 
Nick Stone
 
Respiratory
 
+44 203 749 5716
 
Christer Gruvris
Autoimmunity, neuroscience & infection
+44 203 749 5711
US toll free
 
+1 866 381 7277
 
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary, AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
AstraZeneca PLC
Date: 23 December 2016
By:  /s/ Adrian Kemp
 
Name: Adrian Kemp
 
Title: Company Secretary