Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca has agreed to sell commercial rights to Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) and Atacand Plus (fixed-dose combination of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide) in Europe to Germany’s Cheplapharm Arzneimittel.  Both prescription medicines are recommended for treatment of heart failure and hypertension.

Mark Mallon, executive vice president, Global Product & Portfolio Strategy at AstraZeneca, said the agreement forms part of the company’s strategy of streamlining its portfolio of mature medicines to enable reinvestment in its main therapy areas while at the same time bringing new medicines to patients. Cheplapharm’s strong European presence will help expand the commercial potential of Atacand, Mallon added.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter. AstraZeneca said it will continue to manufacture and supply Atacand and Atacand Plus under an agreement with Cheplapharm and will continue to commercialize the medicines in all markets where it still holds the rights.