AstraZeneca and Astellas to Co-Promote Asthma Drug in Japan

AstraZeneca and Astellas Pharma have announced an agreement for the co-promotion of the former’s Symbicort Turbuhaler (budesonide/ formoterol, a dry powder inhaler), for the treatment of bronchial asthma in Japan.

The companies will co-promote the drug and Astellas will be responsible for distribution of the product. The latter will make an upfront payment of ¥3.0 billion (US$31.5 million) to the former in addition to milestone payments of up to ¥5.5 billion (US$57.7 million) depending on the achievement of certain sales and approval of an additional indication by the Japanese authorities.