Upsher-Smith’s Parent Company Enters into Agreement with AstraZeneca to Manufacture and Market Migraine Medication in Japan
Sawai Pharmaceutical Adds Zomig® (zolmitriptan) to Growing Product Portfolio
Maple Grove, MN – October 30, 2017 – Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith) today reported that its parent company, Japan-based Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Sawai) has entered into an exclusive agreement with AstraZeneca to manufacture and market Zomig® (zolmitriptan) Tablets 2.5 mg and Zomig® (zolmitriptan) Rapid Melt (RM) Tablets 2.5 mg, a migraine medication in Japan.* The Rapid Melt or RM preparation is designed to melt quickly in the mouth, due to the actions of disintegrating and foaming agents within the product, whether taken with or without water. Under the terms of the agreement, Sawai is expected to take over the manufacturing and marketing of the products in Japan by mid-2018 from AstraZeneca K.K.
About Upsher-Smith
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted U.S. pharmaceutical company that has strived to deliver quality, affordable generic medications for nearly a century. In June 2017, Upsher-Smith was acquired by Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a large publicly traded generics company in Japan that had been seeking entry into the U.S. market. Upsher-Smith and Sawai share a strikingly similar family history and hold many of the same cherished goals and values— most importantly, the philosophy of always putting patients first. Upsher-Smith will continue to do those things it does best, which is provide a consistent supply of quality, affordable medications and invest in its historically strong industry relationships. Ultimately, Upsher-Smith believes the acquisition by Sawai represents a tremendous opportunity to leverage each company for growth worldwide and embark together on an exciting new chapter in generics. For more information, visit www.upsher-smith.com.
About Sawai
Founded in 1929, Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has grown into one of the leading generics companies in Japan. Guided by its corporate philosophy, “Patients First,” Sawai markets more than 700 high-quality generic products and reliably delivers them to patients throughout Japan. In 2017, Sawai acquired US-based Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC marking its first stepin overseas expansion to become a globally recognized generic pharmaceutical company.
* Zomig is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
CONTACT:
Elizabeth Likly
Kovak-Likly Communications
203-762-8833, elikly@klcpr.com