Beta-blocker study shows AstraZeneca's Toprol-XL/Seloken ZOK improves CHF patient

LARGEST EVER BETA-BLOCKER STUDY SHOWS ASTRAZENECA'S TOPROL-XL/SELOKEN ZOK IMPROVES CHF PATIENTS SURVIVAL Results of an international study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) show that adding AstraZeneca's beta- blocker Toprol-XL/Seloken ZOK to standard treatment in patients with congestive heart failure improved survival, reduced hospitalisations and improved patients' well-being. The MERIT-HF study (Metoprolol CR (controlled release) Randomised Intervention Trial in Heart Failure) is the largest heart failure trial ever completed, involving nearly 4000 patients, to evaluate the efficacy of a beta-blocker. Results of MERIT-HF showed a 19 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalisations, a 31 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and hospitalisations for heart failure and a 39 percent reduction in cardiac death or non-fatal acute myocardial infarction. A 32 percent decrease was also seen in the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality and the number of patients who had to undergo heart transplantation. Transplantation becomes necessary for survival when the heart has essentially lost its ability to effectively pump blood. Toprol-XL/Seloken ZOK is the most widely prescribed branded beta-blocker in the world with global sales in 1999 of USD 531m. In September 1999, AstraZeneca submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for the use of Toprol-XL extended release tablets for treating heart failure, usually in combination with diuretics and ACE inhibitors. Dr. Hamish Cameron, Vice-President, Head of Cardiovascular Therapy Area, said: "The results of this comprehensive study provide further support to the renaissance in the use of beta-blockers in heart failure and Toprol- XL/Seloken ZOK in particular, the sales of which increased by 14 per cent last year." AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $15 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia including pain management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products. Further enquires to: Steve Brown, tel: +44 171 304 5033 Lucy Williams, tel: +44 171 304 5034 Mikael Widell, tel: +46 703 119960/ +44(0)7715 011140 Staffan Ternby, tel: +46 8 553 261 07 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/08/20000308BIT00330/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/08/20000308BIT00330/bit0002.pdf