Recently it was announced that AstraZeneca PLC, a UK-based biopharmaceutical firm, would sell the U.S. rights to Toprol-XL, a generic drug for hypertension, to Aralez Pharmaceuticals Trading DAC, a unit of global specialty pharmaceutical company, Aralez Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Toprol-XL was initially approved as a medicine used to control high blood pressure, heart failure, and angina in the United States nearly 25 years ago. While AstraZeneca will reportedly keep manufacturing the drug and authorized generic medicine for Aralez, it is reported that the initial payment made by Aralez to AstraZeneca was $175 million.

According to news reports, AstraZeneca will receive as much as $48 million in payments from Aralez in sales-related and milestone payments in addition to royalties on sales that are said to be in the mid-teen percentage range.

AstraZeneca Executive VP of Global Product & Portfolio Strategy, Mark Mallon, said that in working with Aralez, the company would have a partner experienced in cardiovascular disease, while allowing AstraZeneca to focus on innovative medicines and new launches. Ultimately, patients who use the beta blocker will still have access to Toprol-XL and the benefits it provides those with blood pressure/heart disease-related issues.

Toprol-XL has been available to patients in the U.S. since 1992, and is an effective medication trusted by doctors around the nation for its benefits to those with hypertension, angina, and other cardiovascular issues.

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