New Research Organization At Astra

NEW RESEARCH ORGANIZATION AT ASTRA Astra is now taking an important step towards refining and improving the efficiency of its rapidly expanding research and development activities. Accordingly, a new organization based on Astra's most important Therapeutic Areas is now being introduced. The new structure replaces the former product company organization. The following areas of responsibility are being established: Therapeutic Area Therapeutic Area Director Gastrointestinal Martin Nicklasson Respiratory Colin Reddrop Cardiovascular Lars Walan Pain Control Carl-Johan Dalsgaard Central Nervous System Gösta Jonsson All clinical research projects will be organized under one of the Therapeutic Areas listed above. The following research units will have specific Site Managers: Unit Site Manager Astra Charnwood Roy Eady Astra Draco Cecilia Schelin-Seidegård Astra Hässle Peter Edman Roy Eady and Cecilia Schelin-Seidegård report to Colin Reddrop, while Peter Edman reports to Astra's Executive Vice President, R&D. "Research is the life-blood of Astra's business and entirely decisive for our future development. By organizing our R&D activities according to our Therapeutic Areas, the distribution of responsibility will be clearer and our activities can be conducted more efficiently," says Håkan Mogren, Astra's President and CEO. "Our intention is to be among the best pharmaceutical companies in the world with respect to scientific quality and short development times." Uli Hacksell, formerly President of Astra Draco, has been appointed to the newly established position of Vice President, Drug Discovery & Technology in the R&D management. He will be responsible for the Group's new contacts with biotechnology and innovation companies. Dr. Hacksell reports to Astra's Executive Vice President, R&D. "With this new position, Astra further broadens its interface with specialized research companies focusing on new technologies and new research findings," comments Dr. Mogren. In view of its strategic and commercial significance for the entire Group, the Gastrointestinal Therapeutic Area - including, above all, the antipeptic ulcer drug Losec and its subsequent products - has a special status. Martin Nicklasson, who has been named a co-opted member of Astra's Executive Management, reports directly to Astra's CEO. Contact Persons: Staffan Ternby, Vice President, PR & Information, Astra AB, +46 8 553 261 07 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