Astra gains approval for Muse across Europe

ASTRA GAINS APPROVAL FOR MUSE® ACROSS EUROPE MUSE, a new local therapy for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction), was granted European Union mutual recognition approval on December 1. The product has so far been launched in five countries, including Sweden and the U.K. A European study found MUSE to be effective in 64 percent of men with organic 1 erectily dysfunction (impotence due to physical causes) . A large U.S. study 2 also reported that MUSE is effective and well-tolerated . Astra has exclusive marketing and distribution rights to MUSE in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America and a number of other countries through an agreement with VIVUS, Inc., California, U.S. References: Efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil therapy in men with erectile dysfunction. British Journal of Urology. 1998; 81 Padma-Nathan H et al. Treatment of men with erectile dysfunction with transurethral alprostadil. NEJM 1997; 336: 1-7 Contact persons: Mikael Widell, Press Officer, PR & Information, Astra AB, +46 8 553 264 28 Michael Olsson, Manager, Investor Relations, Astra AB, +46 8 553 259 52 Jörgen Winroth, Investor Relations U.S., Astra AB, +1 609 896 4148 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/11/19981211BIT00140/bit0001.pdf http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/12/11/19981211BIT00140/bit0002.doc