FORM 6-K
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the month of December 2020
 
Commission File Number: 001-11960
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
1 Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Cambridge CB2 0AA
United Kingdom
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes __ No X
 
If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_____________
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
1.
Crestor to be divested to Grünenthal in Europe
 
1 December 2020 07:00 GMT
 
Crestor to be divested to Grünenthal in Europe
 
AstraZeneca has agreed to sell the rights to Crestor (rosuvastatin) and associated medicines in over 30 countries in Europe, except the UK and Spain, to Grünenthal GmbH (Grünenthal). Crestor is a statin approved for the treatment of dyslipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia.
 
Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, said: "This agreement supports the management of our mature medicines to enable reinvestment into the pipeline and bringing new, innovative treatments to patients. Grünenthal previously acquired the rights to several established AstraZeneca medicines and is well placed to ensure continued access to Crestor for patients across Europe."
 
AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and supply Crestor to Grünenthal during a transition period. AstraZeneca will also continue selling the medicine in other countries, including those in North America, in Japan, China and other emerging markets.
 
Financial considerations
The divestment is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory clearances, upon which Grünenthal will make an upfront, non-contingent payment to AstraZeneca of $320m and may also make future milestone payments of up to $30m. Income arising from the upfront and future payments will be reported in AstraZeneca's financial statements within Other Operating Income & Expense. The divestment will not impact the Company's financial guidance for 2020.
 
Pursuant to London Stock Exchange listing rule 10.4.1R (notification of class 2 transactions), the gross book value of assets subject to the divestment as of 31 December 2019 was nil. In 2019, Crestor generated Product Sales of $136m and Profit before Tax of $98m in the countries covered by the agreement. The consideration will be paid in cash and the proceeds used for general corporate purposes.
 
Crestor
Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a statin, a lipid-lowering medicine, used to treat blood lipid disorders and to prevent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes. Crestor produces its lipid modifying effects in two ways: it blocks an enzyme in the liver causing the liver to make less cholesterol, and it increases the uptake and breakdown by the liver of cholesterol already in the blood. Crestor is approved as a lipid regulating medicine in more than 100 countries.
 
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
 
Contacts
For details on how to contact the Investor Relations Team, please click here. For Media contacts, click here.
 
Adrian Kemp
Company Secretary
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
AstraZeneca PLC
 
 
Date: 01 December 2020
 
 
By: /s/ Adrian Kemp
 
Name: Adrian Kemp
 
Title: Company Secretary