AstraZeneca divests two cardiovascular medicines in scandinavian and european markets to comply with ec merger condition

ASTRAZENECA DIVESTS TWO CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINES IN SCANDINAVIAN AND EUROPEAN MARKETS TO COMPLY WITH EC MERGER CONDITIONS AstraZeneca today announced the partial divestment of two cardiovascular medicines, in Scandinavian and European markets, to comply with European Commission merger conditions set in approving the merger of Astra, of Sweden, and Zeneca, of the UK, earlier this year. Searle, the pharmaceutical sector of Monsanto Company, has purchased exclusive rights throughout the EEA to the product 'Seloken Comp', (known as Beloc ZOC Comp. in Germany) a fixed combination of the beta blocker metoprolol and the diuretic hydrochlorthiazide. AstraZeneca has also sold to Searle distribution rights to the beta blocker product 'Tenormin', containing atenolol, in Sweden and Norway, in compliance with the merger conditions set out by the Commission. AstraZeneca has extended such distribution rights to Searle to cover 'Tenormin' in Denmark and Finland, and the beta blocker combination product 'Tenoretic' in Denmark. Financial details were not disclosed and the deal represents less than one per cent of AstraZeneca PLC's net assets. Further enquiries to: Staffan Ternby, 08-553 261 07 Mikael Widell, 08-553 264 28, 070-311 99 60 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/27/19991027BIT00650/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/27/19991027BIT00650/bit0002.pdf