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
2018
Commission
File Number: 001-11960
AstraZeneca PLC
1
Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge
Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AA
United
Kingdom
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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.
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assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
82-_____________
AstraZeneca PLC
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
1.
Grünenthal Agreement for Nexium, Vimovo
Completed
3 December 2018 07:00 GMT
Agreement with Grünenthal for
rights to Nexium in
Europe and Vimovo worldwide (ex-US)
completed
AstraZeneca has completed an agreement to divest the prescription
medicine rights to Nexium(esomeprazole) in Europe, as well as the
global rights (excluding the US and
Japan) to Vimovo(naproxen/esomeprazole) to
Grünenthal.
Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca has received payments
of $700m for Nexium and $115m for Vimovo from Grünenthal. The upfront payments,
net of an appropriate derecognition of an intangible asset related
to Vimovo (see below) will be reported within Other
Operating Income & Expense in the Company's financial
statements in the fourth quarter of 2018.
AstraZeneca will continue to commercialise Nexium in all markets outside Europe, where the
Company retains the rights. AstraZeneca will not retain any
ownership rights to Vimovo globally.
Pursuant to Listing Rule 10.4.1R (notification of class 2
transactions), the book value of gross assets subject to the
divestments was approximately $99 million at 31 December 2017. In
the year to 31 December 2017 the aggregate pre-tax profits
attributable to Nexium and Vimovo in the relevant territories were $203
million. The consideration will be satisfied in cash and the
proceeds used for general corporate purposes.
About Nexium
Nexium (esomeprazole) is
used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers, and
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used for the prevention and
treatment of gastric ulcers induced by pain-relieving
NSAIDs. Nexium is available in several formulations
(Nexium gastro-resistant granules for oral
suspension, Nexium gastro-resistant Multi-Unit Pellet System
(Nexium
MUPS) tablets,
and Nexium injection/infusion) with varying approved
indications. The rights to
over-the-counter Nexium were
externalised to Pfizer Consumer Health in 2012.
About Vimovo
Vimovo (naproxen/esomeprazole) modified-release
tablet is a fixed-dose combination of naproxen, a pain-relieving
NSAID and esomeprazole, the active ingredient
in Nexium. It is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis in
patients who are at risk of developing NSAID-associated gastric
ulcers and/or duodenal ulcers and where treatment with lower doses
of naproxen or of other NSAIDs is not considered
sufficient. The
rights to Vimovo in the United States were externalised to
Horizon Pharma in 2013.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca 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. AstraZeneca operates in over 100
countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of
patients worldwide. For more information, please
visit www.astrazeneca.com and
follow us on Twitter @AstraZeneca.
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Media Relations
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Karen
Birmingham
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UK/Global
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Rob
Skelding
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UK/Global
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5762
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US
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Investor Relations
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Thomas
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Henry
Wheeler
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Christer
Gruvris
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Stone
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Afolabi
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toll-free
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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.
Date:
03 December
2018
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By: /s/
Adrian Kemp
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Name:
Adrian Kemp
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Title:
Company Secretary
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