Atacand launched in the U.S

® ATACAND LAUNCHED IN THE U.S. Astra Pharmaceuticals, L.P., the U.S. subsidiary of Astra AB, Sweden, announced today the availability of Atacand (candesartan cilexetil), a powerful new angiotensin II type 1 (AT ) receptor blocker for once daily 1 treatment of hypertension on the U.S. market. AT receptor blockers represent 1 the first new class of antihypertensive agents in more than a decade and is expected to become the leading class of antihypertensive drugs within the next couple of years. In clinical trials involving more than 7,000 hypertensive patients, Atacand has been shown to be highly effective in reducing blood pressure over 24- hours. It has also been shown that Atacand has a clear dose response relationship and is well tolerated, with a frequency of adverse events across the whole dose range similar to placebo. Atacand at a dose of 16 mg once daily has been shown to provide superior blood pressure lowering effect when compared to the present worldwide market leader in this class. Atacand has also been favorably compared with the calcium antagonist, amlodipine, and the ACE inhibitor, enalapril. Both medications are the most widely prescribed in their respective classes. Candesartan cilexetil, active ingredient of Atacand, was discovered by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. and has been jointly developed by Takeda and Astra AB of Sweden. Atacand has been launched in a number of European countries, most recently in France, Spain and Italy. In Germany, one of the major AT receptor blocker markets, candesartan 1 cilexetil has already reached the market leader position (joint sales of Astra and Takeda). In addition to its use in hypertension, Atacand is also being studied to explore its use in heart failure. Astra will, as part of the joint development program with Takeda, soon initiate the most comprehensive heart failure program of any AT receptor blocker, assessing the reduction of mortality and 1 morbidity in more than 6,000 heart failure patients worldwide. Contact persons: Staffan Ternby, Vice President, PR & Information, Astra AB, +46 8 553 261 07 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1998/10/20/19981020BIT00310/Atacand US ENG.doc