Astellas to co-promote AstraZeneca's Symbicort in Japan

UK drug major AstraZeneca and Japan's Astellas Pharma have entered 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.

Under the accord, the two companies will co-promote Symbicort Turbuhaler and Astellas will be responsible for distribution of the product. Astellas will make an upfront payment of 3.0 billion yen (about $31.5 million at current exchange rates) to AstraZeneca in addition to milestone payments of up to 5.5 billion yen depending on the achievement of certain sales and approval of an additional indication by the Japanese authority.

Symbicort Turbuhaler is not currently available in Japan. AstraZeneca submitted a New Drug Application in Japan in May 2007, the outcome of which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2009. Development is also under way for an indication to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).