New Tablet Production Facility

NEW TABLET PRODUCTION FACILITY IN GERMANY TO ENSURE FUTURE PRODUCT GROWTH AstraZeneca announced today a $35 million investment in a new tablet production facility at its Plankstadt site in Germany. This plant, scheduled to start operating in 2002, will initially manufacture 'Casodex', a treatment for prostate cancer which is now the number one selling anti-androgen worldwide, and 'Zomig', a new treatment for migraine headache with or without aura, which is now launched in over 45 countries worldwide. The design of the new facility incorporates an enhanced capability for process containment making it suitable for the manufacture of complex medicines. Dr Barrie Thorpe, Executive Vice President of Operations for AstraZeneca PLC said: "This investment is critical to ensure unconstrained supply of both 'Casodex' and Zomig'. To maintain our competitive edge we must ensure that leading edge technology is used in our manufacturing facilities. This investment will help us update existing equipment at Plankstadt and forms part of our global operations strategy." AstraZeneca have set challenging growth targets for the business and the success of both 'Zomig' and 'Casodex' will be essential to their achievement. Further enquiries to: Ms Wendy Russell, Public Relations Group, Tel. +44 1625 515035 E Mail: Wendy.A.Russell@astrazeneca.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/13/19990913BIT00370/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/09/13/19990913BIT00370/bit0002.pdf