Bangalore, March 11, 2010: AstraZeneca has announced a license and supply agreement with Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Torrent will supply to AstraZeneca a portfolio of generic medicines for which Torrent already has licenses in many countries. Working in partnership with Torrent, AstraZeneca intends to brand and market these products in many of its emerging markets, where it already has a strong commercial footprint.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca will initially purchase from Torrent the licenses and market authorizations for 18 products in nine countries. The agreement allows the flexibility to add further products and new countries where AstraZeneca sees opportunities for growth. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Torrent will manufacture the medicines to AstraZeneca’s rigorous quality and process standards.  Based in India, Torrent has been manufacturing medicines for over 30 years and has a strong track record in registering and manufacturing a wide range of products.

The emerging markets are forecasted to contribute around 70 percent of pharmaceutical industry growth in the next five years, and branded generics represent approximately 50 percent by value in these emerging markets.

In recent years AstraZeneca has invested significantly in key emerging markets, and has built a strong presence in many of them. Expanding the company’s branded generics portfolio will help to leverage its established sales and marketing presence in these countries.