AstraZeneca and Swiss Omya Pharmaceuticals Announce Strategic Partnership for Broncho-Vaxom® in China

Shanghai, September 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, AstraZeneca and OM Pharmaceuticals of Switzerland signed a strategic cooperation agreement, officially announcing the acquisition of Broncho-Vaxom^® (Bacterial Lysate Capsules) The import and distribution rights for this product in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) provide an option to activate both the innate and adaptive immune systems in children and adults, effectively treating acute respiratory tract infections and reducing the frequency of acute exacerbations of recurrent respiratory tract infections. The incidence rate of recurrent respiratory tract infections among children in China is approximately 20%.^[1]; The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is as high as 8.2% among individuals aged 40 and above^[2]Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience approximately 0.5 to 3.5 acute exacerbations per year, and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are a significant contributor to mortality in this patient population.^[3]。

This long-term partnership will fully leverage the strengths of both parties, utilizing AstraZeneca’s professional academic promotion capabilities, robust commercial network, and team to further expand the market coverage of Bacterial Lysate Capsules in China. Extensive clinical trial data have demonstrated the safety and therapeutic benefits of the collaborative product, Bacterial Lysate Capsules, in the immunotherapy of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in adults.^[4]。 

Lai Minglong, General Manager of AstraZeneca China, stated, “Rooted in China for 27 years, AstraZeneca has always adhered to the philosophy of ‘patient-centricity,’ focusing on disease areas with the most urgent needs in China to seek and provide high-quality pharmaceutical resources for patients. The respiratory, inflammation, and autoimmune fields are among AstraZeneca’s key business areas in China. We hope to achieve broader and deeper coverage for bacterial lysate capsules in the future, effectively helping more Chinese patients and contributing to improving the health outcomes of the wider patient population.”

Josef Troxler, President of OM Pharmaceuticals, expressed strong confidence in this collaboration: “Bacterial lysate capsules are one of OM Pharmaceuticals’ flagship products. This strategic partnership with AstraZeneca will further enhance the accessibility of bacterial lysate capsules, accelerate the expansion of their market presence in China, and solidify OM Pharmaceuticals’ competitive advantage in the field of respiratory and immunotherapy.”

The signing of this agreement marks another strategic collaboration between AstraZeneca and a multinational pharmaceutical company in the Chinese market within the fields of respiratory, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases, following its partnership with Italy’s Zambon Group. This underscores the commercial advantages and competitiveness AstraZeneca has cultivated through its deep engagement in the Chinese market, and serves as yet another testament to the company’s patient-centric approach and its commitment to long-term service for patients in China.

[1] Ye Qici: Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections, Journal of Practical Pediatric Clinical Medicine, 1999, Vol. 14, No. 6: 361-362

[2]  Zhong N, Wang C, Yao W, et al. Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a large, population- based survey [J]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 2007, 176 (8): 753-760. DOI: 10.1164/ rccm. 200612-1749OC.

[3] Expert Group on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD), Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD) (2017 Updated Edition), International Journal of Respiratory Medicine, July 2017, Vol. 37, No. 14: 1041

[4] Del-Rio-Navarro BE, Espinosa Rosales F., Flenady V, Sienra-Monge JJ. Immunostimulants for preventing respiratory tract infection in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2006;4:CD004974.
Sequiera RB. Immunobiotherapy with Broncho-Vaxom® in the prevention of postoperative respiratory infections. Méd et Hyg 1980; 38:2752-2753.
Geiser G. Prevention of respiratory diseases in a large industrial enterprise: double blind study of Broncho-Vaxom®. Acta Therapeutica 1983; 9:289-303.
Children's Otolaryngology Committee of Pediatrician Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Consensus of Management of Children RRTI, Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics，2017，Vol.32（10）：721-725