(ShareCast News) - Hikma Pharmaceuticals has signed an exclusive licensing and distribution agreement with Finland's Orion for its new Easyhaler combination product for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Under the terms of the agreement, Hikma has the exclusive rights to register, distribute, market and sell the product in all of its MENA markets, leveraging the company's local presence, sales and marketing capabilities and regulatory expertise. Mazen Darwazah, vice chairman and chief executive officer of MENA and emerging markets said: "We are pleased to be adding this important product to our respiratory pipeline and we hope this collaboration with Orion will be the beginning of a long partnership for its Easyhaler device products in the MENA region. "Global partnerships are an integral part of our strategy to grow our portfolio in key therapeutic areas and improve patients' access to high-quality medicines."At 1020 GMT, the shares were up 0.9% to 1,955p.