AstraZeneca unloads respiratory drugs to Covis

AstraZeneca has agreed to transfer its global rights to Eklira (aclidinium bromide) and Duaklir (aclidinium bromide/formoterol) to Covis Pharma Group. For the rights of the two drugs that are used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, Covis is paying AZ US$270m. The global specialty pharmaceutical company will also cover certain ongoing development costs related to the medicines.

With the addition of the two medicines, Covis can boast a strong strategic complement to its existing therapeutic portfolio. “As a result of the acquisition, Covis is firmly placed as one of the top 10 respiratory companies in the world,” said Covis CEO Michael Porter. Three years ago, Covis Pharma already acquired the rights to three other respiratory medicines from AstraZeneca.

On its end, AstraZeneca is aiming to further “sharpen its focus on priority medicines” in its respiratory and immunology portfolio.