EPO RULES SYMBICORTÒ COPD PATENT VALID

AstraZeneca today announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has ruled that the European patent for SymbicortÒ in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is still valid, despite a challenge by generic manufacturers. This positive decision means that this patent for Symbicort is still valid, covering its use in Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in COPD. The patent, which expires in 2018, was challenged by generic manufacturers, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Norton Healthcare Ltd and Generics [UK] Limited. AstraZeneca has a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio for Symbicort including patents and data exclusivity. In March, the EPO ruled that another European patent covering the combination of formoterol and budesonide in SymbicortÒ was still valid, despite a separate challenge by several generic manufacturers. Symbicort is a treatment for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The worldwide sales reached $797 million in 2004. Europe accounted for $701 million. For further information contact: Media Enquiries: Steve Brown, +44 207 304 5033 Edel McCaffrey, +44 207 304 5034 Staffan Ternby, +46 70 557 4300 Investor Enquiries: Jonathan Hunt, +44 207 304 5087 Mike Rance, +44 207 304 5050 Ed Seage, +1 302 886 4065 Mina Blair, +44 20 7304 5084