Astra signs agreement with Nicox

ASTRA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NICOX FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS FOR PAIN THERAPY Astra has signed a licensing agreement with the French research company NicOx pertaining to research on Nitric Oxide - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NO-NSAIDs). Under the agreement, Astra will receive exclusive worldwide rights, excluding Japan where Astra has semi-exclusive rights, to develop and market NO-NSAIDs in the area of pain and inflammation. Astra will cover costs for clinical development and pay royalties on future products. "The agreement with NicOx is an important element in Astra's ongoing effort to broaden its base of research in the area of pain control," says Carl-Johan Dalsgaard, Director of Astra's Pain Control therapeutic area. Contact persons: Mikael Widell, Press Officer, 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