Lawsuits

AstraZeneca PLC
15 May 2000


ASTRAZENECA FILES LAWSUITS AGAINST
EON LABS MANUFACTURING, INC. AND IMPAX LABORATORIES, INC.

AstraZeneca filed lawsuits today in New York against Eon Labs Manufacturing,
Inc. (Eon) and in Delaware against Impax Laboratories, Inc. (Impax) for patent
infringement.

The lawsuits are the results of Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) filed
by Eon and Impax respectively with the FDA concerning their intent to market
generic omeprazole products in the US.  The antisecretory drug omeprazole is
marketed in the US by AstraZeneca, L.P. under the brand name 'Prilosec' and is
marketed internationally by AstraZeneca as 'Losec'.

The basis of AstraZeneca's complaints are that the actions by Eon and Impax
both infringe upon several patents relating to 'Prilosec', which provide
protection to the year 2014.  Those patents include coverage for formulations
and for methods for using 'Prilosec'.  The substance patent, which expires in
2001, has not been challenged by either Eon or Impax.

AstraZeneca intends to fully enforce its patent rights and is steadfast in its
belief that all of the patents are valid.


Further enquires to:

Analyst/investor enquiries       

Elizabeth Sutton            [phone]
Michael Olsson              [phone]
Ed Seage (Wilmington)       +1  [phone]
Jorgen Winroth (Wayne)      +1  [phone]