AstraZeneca announces co-promotion agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for NEXIUM in Japan

AstraZeneca today announced an agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for the co-promotion and supply of NEXIUM (esomeprazole magnesium), a proton pump inhibitor, in Japan.

Under the terms of this agreement, AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo will co-promote the product after it is approved for use in Japan. AstraZeneca will manufacture and develop the product and Daiichi Sankyo will be responsible for its distribution.

Daiichi Sankyo will make an initial payment of $100 million to AstraZeneca, paying further undisclosed sums when the product is approved and sales target milestones are achieved.

NEXIUM is approved in more than 120 countries for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

AstraZeneca first submitted a regulatory application for NEXIUM in Japan in February 2010.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines.  As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of US $32.8 billion in 2009.  For more information please visit:www.astrazeneca.com.

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29 October 2010