AstraZeneca and Schering AG join forces for breast cancer drug

AstraZeneca has taken further measures to bolster its product pipeline by announcing a new drug development agreement with Schering AG.

Schering AG, soon to become Bayer Schering after the completion of a merger, will work with AstraZeneca to develop a new selective oestrogen inhibitor downregulator (Serd), for the treatment of breast cancer.

AstraZeneca will lead the clinical development of the new drug, while Schering AG will be responsible for the manufacturing and marketing aspects. Although the financial details of the agreement were not revealed, Schering AG said that marketing costs and global profits would be shared equally.

Peter Zundorf, head of Schering AG’s global oncology group, said agents like Serds are “exciting” with the potential to offer specific and targeted therapies against breast cancer. He added that the deal was further proof of Schering AG’s commitment to oncology.

AstraZeneca’s executive vice president of development, John Patterson, remarked: “This agreement further strengthens AstraZeneca’s pipeline and builds on AstraZeneca’s leading position in the anti-hormonal disease area.”

He concluded by saying that the company was “delighted” to be able to extend its “excellent” relationship with Schering AG.

In July 2005, the two companies announced a partnership to develop selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, AstraZeneca reserves the worldwide marketing rights to develop compounds for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory diseases, while Schering AG holds marketing rights for all other treatment indications.