Blueprint
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 October
2019
Commission
File Number: 001-11960
AstraZeneca PLC
1
Francis Crick Avenue
Cambridge
Biomedical Campus
Cambridge
CB2 0AA
United
Kingdom
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reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
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by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
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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):
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AstraZeneca PLC
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
AstraZeneca divests rights
to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in Europe and Russia
30 October 2019 07:00 GMT
AstraZeneca divests rights
to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in Europe and Russia
Sale to Cheplapharm supports AstraZeneca's focus on main
therapy areas
AstraZeneca has agreed the sale and licence of the commercial
rights to Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate immediate release)
and Seroquel XR (quetiapine fumarate extended release) in
Europe and Russia to Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH
(Cheplapharm). Seroquel and Seroquel XR,
used primarily to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, have
lost their compound patent protection in Europe and
Russia.
Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President, Biopharmaceuticals, said:
"Seroquel is an important established medicine and
this agreement with Cheplapharm will help ensure continued patient
access. It forms part of our strategy of reducing the portfolio of
mature medicines to enable reinvestment in our main therapy
areas."
AstraZeneca will continue to manufacture and
supply Seroquel and Seroquel XR to Cheplapharm during a transition
period.
Pursuant to Listing Rule 10.4.1R (notification of class 2
transactions), the gross book value of assets subject to the
divestment as at 31 December 2018 was nil. In the year to 31
December 2018, the aggregate pre-tax profits attributable
to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in the relevant territories were $86m. The
consideration will be paid in cash and the proceeds used for
general corporate purposes.
Financial considerations
Cheplapharm will make an upfront payment of $178m to AstraZeneca
and may also make future sales-contingent payments of up to $61m.
Income arising from the upfront and future payments will be
reported in AstraZeneca's financial statements within Other
Operating Income & Expense. In 2018, Seroquel generated annual product sales
of $47m in the markets covered by this agreement,
while Seroquel XR generated $61m. The agreement does not
impact the Company's financial guidance for 2019. The transaction
is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to
customary closing conditions and regulatory
clearances.
About Seroquel
Seroquel and Seroquel XR are atypical anti-psychotic medicines with
antidepressant properties. The main indications
for Seroquel are the treatment of schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder. Seroquel XR is also approved in some markets for major
depressive disorder and generalised anxiety
disorder.
AstraZeneca has previously disposed of the rights
to Seroquel and Seroquel XR in the UK, Japan and other major
international markets.
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 and
Metabolism, and Respiratory. 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.
Media
Relations
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Gonzalo
Viña
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+44 203
749 5916
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Rob
Skelding
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Oncology
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+44 203
749 5821
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Rebecca
Einhorn
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Oncology
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+1 301
518 4122
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Matt
Kent
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BioPharmaceuticals
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+44 203
749 5906
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Jennifer
Hursit
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Other
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+44
203 749 5762
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Hägerstrand
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Sweden
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+46 8 552 53 106
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Michele
Meixell
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US
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+1 302
885 2677
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Investor
Relations
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Thomas
Kudsk Larsen
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749 5712
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Henry
Wheeler
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749 5797
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Christer
Gruvris
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BioPharmaceuticals
(CV, Metabolism)
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+44 203
749 5711
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Nick
Stone
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BioPharmaceuticals
(Renal), ESG
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+44 203
749 5716
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Josie
Afolabi
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BioPharmaceuticals
(Respiratory),
other
medicines
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749 5631
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Craig
Marks
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US
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:
30 October
2019
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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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