# AstraZeneca divests commercial rights to Atacand to Cheplapharm

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/astrazeneca-divests-commercial-rights-to-atacand-to-cheplapharm/412951176
- Published: 2021-01-04T07:30:45+00:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**[AstraZeneca plc](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/astrazeneca/azn.l)**(
[LON:AZN](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/astrazeneca/azn.l))
has completed the divestment of commercial rights to _Atacand_ (candesartan cilexetil)
and _Atacand Plus_ (a fixed-dose combination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide)
in over 70 countries to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH (Cheplapharm).

**Financial considerations**

Under the terms of the agreement AstraZeneca received a payment of $250m from Cheplapharm.
AstraZeneca will receive further non-contingent payments equal to $150m during the
first half of 2021. The present value of all payments, totalling $400m, will be 
reported in AstraZeneca’s financial statements within Other Operating Income in 
the fourth quarter of 2020.

Pursuant to London Stock Exchange listing rule 10.4.1R (notification of class 2 
transactions), in 2019 _Atacand_ and _Atacand_ _Plus_ generated product sales of
$148m and profit before tax of $89m in the countries covered by the agreement. The
gross book value of assets subject to the divestment at 31 December 2019 was $nil.
The consideration was and will be paid in cash, and the proceeds used for general
corporate purposes.

**_Atacand_**** **

_Atacand_ (candesartan cilexetil) is a selective AT1 subtype angiotensin II receptor
antagonist that is indicated for the management of hypertension in adults and children/
adolescents, as well as heart failure in adults. _Atacand Plus_ is indicated for
the management of hypertension when candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy
is not sufficiently effective. _Atacand_ was developed in collaboration with Takeda
Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Each company held the exclusive rights to the medicine
in certain countries; in other countries, _Atacand_ was co-marketed.

**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 & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca
operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions
of patients worldwide.

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