J&J unit Cilag buys rights to AstraZeneca's Rhinocort Aqua

In yet another non-core asset disposal, AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) has entered into an agreement with Cilag GmbH International, an affiliate of US healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), for the divestment of the rights to Rhinocort Aqua (budesonide) outside the USA.

The Anglo-Swedish pharma major’s Rhinocort Aqua is a nasal spray indicated for allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the inside of the nose), and for the treatment of nasal polyps (swelling of the nasal lining).

Mark Mallon, executive vice president, global product and portfolio strategy at AstraZeneca, said: “This agreement allows us to concentrate our efforts in respiratory as one of our three strategic therapy areas, on transforming the treatment of asthma and COPD, where budesonide remains a key component of our marketed as well as pipeline medicines.”