Nexium provides acid control superior to competitor drugs and heals Erosive Esophagitis in half the time

® NEXIUM PROVIDES ACID CONTROL SUPERIOR TO COMPETITOR DRUGS AND HEALS EROSIVE ESOPHAGITIS IN HALF THE TIME Evolutionary PPI Defines New Level of Efficacy in Control of Acid-Related Digestive Diseases 21 May 2000 -- London -- Results from a clinical study presented at the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in San Diego, California, USA, suggest that ® AstraZeneca's new proton pump inhibitor (PPI) Nexium (esomeprazole), approved for use in Sweden, heals erosive esophagitis in as many patients after four weeks of treatment as does eight weeks' of therapy with omeprazole, the gold standard treatment for this disease. Studies also ® show that Nexium may provide more effective acid control than both 3 4 pantoprazole and lansoprazole , two established drugs in this class. ® Results of one study showed that after four weeks of Nexium treatment 81.7 percent of patients were healed compared with 68.7 percent of those given omeprazole, and after eight weeks of therapy, the proportions rose 1 to 93.7 percent and 84.2 percent respectively (p<0.001) . ® "Nexium is the first drug with the potential to offer significant clinical advantages over omeprazole in symptom resolution and healing in patients with all grades of erosive esophagitis," said Dr Joel Richter, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, who conducted the trial comparing the efficacy of the two drugs involving 2,425 patients in 163 centres across the USA. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a clinical condition in which reflux (backward flow) of stomach acid into the esophagus (gullet) is severe enough to cause recurrent symptoms that significantly impact on patients' lives, and, in some cases, damage the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of this often chronic, debilitating disease, which affects a significant proportion of the world's population - as many as 50 million Europeans are estimated to suffer from GERD. Despite its extremely widespread occurrence, many people with GERD do not know that this ® condition is easily treatable. PPIs, such as Nexium , promote highly effective acid control and are therefore recommended as treatment for all patients with this disease. Three further clinical trials reported at the DDW compared acid control ® 2 3 4 with Nexium to omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole in ® patients with GERD symptoms. Nexium 40 mg, once daily, not only provided superior acid control to a single daily dose of omeprazole 20mg, but 2 demonstrated less interpatient variability. Taken together, the results ® of all four studies indicate that acid control with Nexium is more predictable than with other PPIs, thereby providing better predictability ® of response. In addition, the superior acid control of Nexium compared 2 to omeprazole may result in improved clinical efficacy. Recommendations for the optimal management of GERD have been published in 5 the form of the Genval Guidelines, which recommend that the most effective therapy should be used as first-line in the management of this disease. "Considering the recommendations of the Genval Guidelines, these results are extremely gratifying," said Dr Martin Nicklasson, Executive Vice ® President GI Franchise, AstraZeneca. "They show that Nexium is the ® rational first-line therapy across the full spectrum of GERD. Nexium can offer GERD sufferers the best chance of symptom control. In addition to that, data suggests that healing of reflux esophagitis with this drug may be superior to omeprazole irrespective of the severity of esophagitis." · Based on extensive clinical studies involving more than 15,000 patient ® treatments, Nexium has received approval in Sweden for both initial and long-term management of GERD, healing of H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcers and prevention of relapse of peptic ulcer disease. ® · Nexium has a tolerability profile similar to omeprazole, and the most common side effects observed are headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. 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. This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect AstraZeneca's current expectation regarding future events. The forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process and the commercialisation of the drug thereafter. Investors should consult AstraZeneca's ongoing quarterly filings and annual reports for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. AstraZeneca disclaims any obligation to update these forward- looking statements. Further enquires to: Steve Brown, +44 20 7304 5033 Lucy Williams, +44 20 7304 5034 References 1. Richter JE et al. Esomeprazole is superior to omeprazole for the healing of erosive esophagitis in GERD patients. Gastorenterology 2000; 118: 343, A20 2. Lind T et al. Esomeprazole provides improved acid control versus omeprazole in patients with symptoms of GERD. Abstract No / Study No 08 Gastorenterology 2000; 118: 344, A18 3. Wilder-Smith C et al. Esomeprazole 40 mg provides more effective acid control than pantoprazole 40 mg. Abstract No / Study No058 Gastorenterology 2000; 118: 352, A22 4. Rohss K et al. Esomeprazole 40 mg provides more effective acid control than lansoprazole 30 mg. Abstract No / Study No059 Gastorenterology 2000; 118: 344, A20 5. Dent J, Brun J, Fendrick A, et al. An evidence-based appraisal of reflux disease management - the Genval Workshop Report. Gut 1999; 44 suppl 2: S1 - S16 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/21/20000520BIT00010/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/21/20000520BIT00010/bit0002.pdf