moksha8 Mexico and Astra Zeneca, a leading pharmaceutical company in respiratory therapies, have signed an agreement under which moksha8 Mexico will assume responsibility for promoting and distributing Duaklir and Eklira (aclidinium bromide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate 400/12 μg) in the Mexican territory. Duaklir and Eklira are indicated for the treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

COPD is a progressive disease associated mainly with tobacco smoking, air pollution or occupational exposure, which can cause obstruction of airflow in the lungs resulting in debilitating bouts of breathlessness. It affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death by 2030*.

The PLATINO study described the epidemiology of COPD in five major Latin American cities. This population-based study reported crude prevalence rates of COPD of 7.8% in Mexico City**.

Approximately 90 per cent of COPD patients experience symptoms such as breathlessness and coughing during at least one part of the day and Eklira /Duaklir provides patients with a safe, effective way to improve breathlessness and lung function to these patients.

Joel Barlan, moksha8 CEO said: “This strategic partnership will strengthen our pharmaceutical business, accelerating the build of our pipeline and our presence in the respiratory area. Also, we are pleased to continue providing such excellent products for all COPD patients in Mexico.”

This agreement represents an immediate opportunity for moksha 8 to build its respiratory portfolio and presence, and these products will add new revenue growth.

World Health Organization. Burden of COPD.

**Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in five Latin American cities (the PLATINO study): a prevalence study. Lancet 2005; 366: 1875–1881