In a surprise move that prompted the company’s shares to jump by 8%, Almirall has agreed to sell its entire respiratory franchise to AstraZeneca for up to US$2.1 B. The deal will leave the Spanish pharmaceutical company heavily dependent on dermatology, its second largest therapeutic segment. With the acquisition, AstraZeneca will gain immediate revenue generators such as Eklira® (aclidinium), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Another driver of the acquisition is LAS40464, a combination of aclidinium and formoterol for COPD that has been filed for regulatory approval in Europe.