Astra agrees proton pump inhibitor deal for Japan

29th Oct 2010 07:02

AstraZeneca will receive a $100m upfront payment from Daiichi Sankyo after agreeing a deal for the co-promotion and supply of Nexium, a proton pump inhibitor, in Japan.The Anglo-Swedish drugs giant will co-promote the product once it is approved for use in Japan, making and developing the product, while Daiichi Sankyo will deal with distribution.Proton pump inhibitors are used to reduce the production of gastric acid and are most commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers.As well as the initial payment, the Japanese firm will hand over further undisclosed sums when the product is approved and sales target milestones are achieved. Astra first submitted a regulatory application for Nexium in Japan in February. It's already approved in over 120 countries for the treatment of GERD.