Interlocutory Injunction Entitlement in Israel

AstraZeneca PLC
17 November 1999


ASTRAZENECA ENTITLED TO INTERLOCUTORY* INJUNCTION TO PREVENT MARKETING
OF A GENERIC VERSION OF OMEPRAZOLE IN ISRAEL

AstraZeneca today announced that the Tel Aviv District Court has held 
that AstraZeneca is entitled to an interlocutory injunction in Israel 
based on the formulation patent, to prevent Dexcel Ltd. from marketing 
a generic omeprazole product.  Omeprazole is the substance used in 
'Losec'.  The interlocutory injunction will not come into effect until 
the Supreme Court in Israel has considered Dexcel's application for 
leave to appeal.

The substance patent for omeprazole began expiry in the first countries 
in 1999.  In most countries AstraZeneca has been granted Patent Term
Extensions or Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs).  This 
extended coverage expires in the US in April 2001, in most European 
countries in 2002 - 2004, and in Japan in 2004.  The product is also 
protected by patents directed to formulation, uses, intermediates and
processes.

* Provisional

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