AstraZeneca and Circassia team up in respiratory diseases

Anglo-Swedish firm AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) and Oxford, UK-based clinical-stage firm Circassia Pharmaceuticals (LSE: CIR) are to collaborate over the development and commercialization of two powder-based respiratory drugs in the USA.

Tudorza (aclidinium bromide inhalation powder) and Duaklir (aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate) are inhaled respiratory medicines for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Mark Mallon, executive vice president at AstraZeneca, said: “Tudorza and Duaklir are important components of AstraZeneca’s respiratory franchise globally and this collaboration will support their commercialization in the USA for the benefit of the millions of COPD patients.”