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 May 2018
Commission
File Number: 001-11960
AstraZeneca PLC
1
Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge
Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AA
United
Kingdom
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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 __
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by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
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by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
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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.
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assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82-_____________
AstraZeneca PLC
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
1.
AZ and Luye Pharma
enter agreement for Seroquel
7 May 2018 14:00 BST
AstraZeneca and Luye Pharma Group enter agreement for rights to
Seroquel and Seroquel XR in the UK, China and other
international markets
AstraZeneca to receive upfront payment and future
payments
AstraZeneca has entered into an agreement with Luye Pharma
Group, Ltd. (Luye Pharma) for the sale
and licence of the rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR
in the UK, China and other
international markets, including Brazil, Australia, Saudi Arabia,
Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Argentina, Malaysia and South
Africa.
The
transaction is part of AstraZeneca’s strategy to focus on its
three main therapy areas of Oncology,
Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory.
Seroquel, used primarily to
treat schizophrenia and bipolar disease, has lost its compound
patent protection globally; the Seroquel XR formulation patents have
now also expired in the vast majority of markets. AstraZeneca
partnered the rights to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in Japan and Venezuela
under prior agreements.
Mark Mallon, Executive Vice President, Global Product and Portfolio
Strategy, AstraZeneca, said: “The agreement with Luye Pharma
is in line with AstraZeneca’s strategy to focus on three main
therapy areas while maximising the value from our legacy medicines
like Seroquel. The agreement with Luye Pharma will also ensure
continued widespread patient access to important established
medicines.”
Dr. Yehong Zhang, head of Luye Pharma (International) said:
“Central nervous system diseases continue to present a
challenge to patients and healthcare systems across the
world. This transaction represents another step in our effort
to build a portfolio and platform to help address
this issue. It is an affirmation of our commitment to
accelerate our international presence. We look forward to
strengthening our relationship with existing and future
partners and making this a success for us and for patients
in need.”
Financial considerations
Luye
Pharma will pay $538m in consideration including $260m immediately
following closure of the transaction. In addition, a milestone is
payable on the successful transition of certain activities to
Luye. AstraZeneca
will continue to manufacture and supply Seroquel and Seroquel XR to Luye Pharma during a
transition period. The upfront and future
payments will be reported as Other Operating Income in the
Company’s financial statements.
The
transaction is expected to close by the end of Q2 2018, subject to
customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances. In
FY 2017, Seroquel generated annual sales of $85m in
the markets covered by this agreement, while Seroquel XR generated $63m. The
agreement does not change the Company’s financial guidance
for FY 2018.
About Seroquel
Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate, immediate release, IR) and
Seroquel XR (extended
release formulation) are atypical anti-psychotic medicines with
antidepressant properties. The main indications for Seroquel are the treatment of
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Seroquel XR is also approved in some
markets for major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety
disorder.
About Luye Pharma Group
Luye Pharma focuses on developing, producing, marketing and
selling innovative pharmaceutical products in four of the
largest and fastest growing therapeutic areas —
oncology, cardiovascular, metabolism and the central nervous
system, covering the main global pharmaceutical markets,
including China, the U.S. Europe and Japan. Luye Pharma has a
portfolio of 34 products in the market and 27 product
candidates in China and many product candidates overseas,
among which 7 candidates in different clinical trial
stages in Europe and the United States.
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 therapy areas — Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism
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.
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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.
Date:
07 May 2108
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By: /s/
Adrian Kemp
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Name:
Adrian Kemp
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Title:
Company Secretary
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