AstraZeneca and TerSera sign agreement to commercialise Zoladex in US and Canada

UK-based AstraZeneca has entered an agreement to sell the commercial rights for Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant) in the US and Canadian markets to pharmaceutical company TerSera Therapeutics.

Zoladex is an injectable, luteinising, hormone-releasing hormone agonist used for the treatment of patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer and some benign gynaecological disorders.

TerSera Therapeutics chairman and CEO Ed Fiorentino said: "We are very pleased to be partnering with AstraZeneca and investing in the future growth of Zoladex, which continues to be a mainstay of treatment for its indicated uses."

Under the new agreement, TerSera Therapeutics will pay $250m to AstraZeneca upon completion, while the UK company will also receive sales-related income worth up to $70m through milestones and recurring quarterly sales-based payments at a mid-teen percentage of product sales.

"We are very pleased to be partnering with AstraZeneca and investing in the future growth of Zoladex, which continues to be a mainstay of treatment for its indicated uses."

As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will also carry out the production of Zoladex and deliver it to TerSera Therapeutics, thereby offering an additional source of ongoing income from Zoladex in the US and Canada.

AstraZeneca global product and portfolio strategy executive vice-president Mark Mallon said: "This agreement allows us to retain a significant share of the value of Zoladex in the US and Canada, while concentrating our resources on our innovative New Oncology medicines.

"It also ensures patients have continued access to Zoladex, with TerSera’s dedicated focus helping to expand the potential of this important medicine."

The transaction is expected to conclude in the first quarter of this year and is subject to customary closing conditions.

AstraZeneca will retain its commercialising rights of Zoladex in all markets outside the US and Canada.