Thursday, February 14, 2008

AstraZeneca spin off GI research - confirmed

AstraZeneca said on Thursday it was spinning off some of its gastrointestinal research operations into a new biotech company backed by a trio of private equity firms.

The move reflects a decision by the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker -- which faces pressure on profits from looming generic competition and recent pipeline setbacks -- to refocus its research efforts.

The new venture, called Albireo, will be financed by a syndicate led by Nomura Phase4 Ventures, and joined by TVM Capital and Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

AstraZeneca will retain a significant minority stake in Albireo, in exchange for transferring the R&D assets into the new business. It will also have a seat on its board.

A spokesman declined to say exactly how large AstraZeneca's shareholding would be.

The move is not a surprise. AstraZeneca had said on Monday it was studying options for certain of its research assets, following a Swedish newspaper report that a sale or spin-out was imminent.
Reuters

Want to know where http://www.albireo.co.uk/ takes you?

Feel free to click.

Here's the Albireo Pharma site.

No comments: