Symbicort

AstraZeneca PLC
30 April 2008


             AstraZeneca Submits sNDA for SYMBICORT(R) for COPD Treatment

 AstraZeneca today announced submission of a supplemental New Drug Application
(sNDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to seek approval of a new
indication for SYMBICORT(R) (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate)
Inhalation Aerosol for the treatment of patients with Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD). SYMBICORT is currently approved for the long-term
maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years and older.

The sNDA submission is based on results from two pivotal efficacy and safety
trials with SYMBICORT pressurised meter dose inhaler (pMDI). Both studies were
randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-centre trials of patients (N=
3,668) with moderate to very severe COPD. Results of the trials found SYMBICORT
160/4.5 (320/9 mcg bid) met the pre-specified co-primary endpoints and was found
to be effective and well-tolerated for up to 12 months in patients with moderate
to very severe COPD. Of note, both trials showed that SYMBICORT was well
tolerated compared to the monoproducts budesonide and formoterol and placebo.
The most common adverse events were bronchitis, oral candidiasis and
nasopharyngitis, also known as the common cold.

'SYMBICORT is a combination maintenance treatment for patients with asthma that
works rapidly to help improve lung function by reducing inflammation in the
lining of the lung,' said Howard Hutchison, Chief Medical Officer, AstraZeneca.
'We are confident in the data from the SHINE and SUN trials that support our
submission, and we look forward to discussions with the FDA about this potential
expanded indication.'

30 April 2008

Media Enquiries:
Steve Brown               [phone]  (24 hours)
Chris Sampson             [phone]  (24 hours)
Neil McCrae               [phone]  (24 hours)

Investor Enquiries UK:

Jonathan Hunt             [phone]            mob: [phone]
Mina Blair                [phone]            mob: [phone]
Karl Hard                 [phone]            mob: [phone]

Investor Enquiries US:

Ed Seage                  [phone]             mob: [phone]
Jorgen Winroth            [phone]             mob: [phone]
Peter Vozzo (MedImmune)   [phone]             mob: [phone]


About COPD

More than 12 million people in the United States suffer from COPD, and it is the
fourth leading cause of death in the nation.  Some estimates also suggest that
12 million more people have COPD but are undiagnosed. COPD is a term referring
to two serious lung diseases - emphysema and chronic bronchitis - that cause a
person's airways to become inflamed over time, making it difficult to breathe
normally. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing
and excess mucus. To reduce exacerbations and improve lung function and health
status, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD)
recommends the use of combination treatments with an inhaled corticosteroid
(ICS) and long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), in addition to other treatment
options. COPD is a progressive disease, which means people with COPD can expect
lung function to worsen over time. When symptoms are severe, it can be difficult
for a person to perform simple, daily tasks and some people may eventually
require supplemental oxygen and may have to rely on mechanical respiratory
assistance.

About SYMBICORT

SYMBICORT is a combination therapy indicated for the long-term maintenance
treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older. Administered twice
daily, SYMBICORT is a combination of two proven asthma medications - budesonide,
an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and formoterol, a rapid and long-acting
beta2-agonist (LABA). SYMBICORT does not replace fast-acting inhalers and should
not be used to treat acute symptoms of asthma.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in research,
development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and
supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading
pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US $29.55 billion and is a
leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology
and infection product sales. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

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