AstraZeneca has entered into an agreement with China-based Luye Pharma Group, Ltd. for the sale and license 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 three main therapy areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and Respiratory after reaching a “patent cliff” that came after Seroquel, Nexium and other multi-billion dollar drugs lost patent protection.
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.
Seroquel was the cornerstone of AstraZeneca’s research efforts at its now razed Delaware labs in north Wilmington. Use of the powerful drug, led to settlements over “off-label” prescribing by physicians for other mental conditions.
AstraZeneca never admitted fault in its marketing efforts for the drug, which has side effects that can include weight gain tied to other conditions
The drug is one of the best sellers of all time with lifetime revenues of nearly $45 billion.
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 maximizing the value from our legacy medicines like Seroquel. The agreement with Luye Pharma will also ensure continued widespread patient access to important established medicines.”
Luye Pharma will pay $538 million in consideration including $260 million 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.
