AstraZeneca pushes further into emerging market with Torrent deal

Confirming its ongoing interest in emerging markets, Anglo-Swedish drug major AstraZeneca has entered into a license and supply agreement with India's Torrent Pharmaceuticals for the latter to supply a portfolio of generic medicines for which Torrent already has licenses in a range of countries. Working in partnership with Torrent, AstraZeneca says it intends to brand and market these products in many of its emerging markets, where it already has a strong commercial footprint.

Under the deal, AstraZeneca will initially buy the licenses and market authorizations for 18 products in nine countries from Torrent. The accord allows the flexibility to add further products and new countries where AstraZeneca sees opportunities for growth. Financial terms were not disclosed. Torrent will manufacture the medicines working to AstraZeneca's quality and process standards. Neither the financial terms of the deal nor the actual products involved were disclosed.

70% of pharma growth expected from emerging markets