AstraZeneca takes back marketing of Symbicort Turbuhaler in Japan

The sale and distribution of Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol)Turbuhaler30 doses and Symbicort Turbuhaler60 doses, the inhalation dry-powder treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), conducted by Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) in Japan will be transferred to the Japanese subsidiary of AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN), and the co-promotion by Astellas and AstraZeneca KK will be terminated on July 30, 2019.

AstraZeneca KK will solely distribute and promote the product in Japan from July 31, 2019. The termination of the sale and distribution by Astellas and the co-promotion by both companies of the product is due to the expiration of the sale and co-promotion agreement concluded in 2009 by Astellas and AstraZeneca.

Globally, Symbicort is AstraZeneca’s top-selling product, generating sales of $619 million in the third quarter of 2018, though down 7% on the like year-earlier period.