AstraZeneca today announced progression to clinical development of a novel therapeutic agent for allergic disorders, discovered in collaboration with Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma (DSP).

Respiratory inflammation is one of AstraZeneca’s core disease areas. AstraZeneca entered into a research collaboration with DSP in 2004, building on the latter’s work to identify a series of promising compounds with a novel mechanism of action targeting allergic disorders. The two companies have succeeded in finding a drug candidate as an outcome of the collaboration. AstraZeneca has begun Phase I studies in Europe, while DSP will undertake similar trials in Japan.

This drug candidate stimulates Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and activates the immune system. It is therefore expected to become a therapeutic agent providing long-term disease remission in allergic disorders such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Under the development and marketing agreement between the two companies, AZ will retain exclusive development and commercialisation rights for products arising from the collaboration on a worldwide basis, excluding Japan, for which DSP has exclusive development and commercialisation rights, and China, South Korea and Taiwan, for which AZ has the right, but not the obligation, to participate in sales and marketing activities. DSP has the similar right, but not the obligation, to participate in sales and marketing activities for collaboration products in certain DSP option territories (US and major European countries). After the launch of the product, AZ will pay a running royalty to DSP on product sales.

Rodger McMillan, Global VP and Head of Respiratory & Inflammation Therapy Area at AstraZeneca said, “We are very happy that the compound has progressed to clinical development. If successful, it will confer freedom from symptoms and attacks, induce long-term remission and enable patients with bronchial asthma or allergic rhinitis to enjoy a normal life.”
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May 8, 2008

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About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $29.55 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
For more information about AstraZeneca please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

About Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma
Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. was formed in October 2005 through the merger of Dainippon Pharmaceutical and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals. It’s corporate mission is “to broadly contribute to society through value creation based on innovative research and development activities for the betterment of healthcare and fuller lives of people worldwide”. The company is undertaking drug discovery research primarily in three main therapeutic areas: cardiovascular and diabetes diseases, central nervous system (CNS) diseases, and inflammations and allergies.
For more information about Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma please visit: www.ds-pharma.co.jp

About asthma and allergic rhinitis
Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. Its symptoms are caused by inflammation, which makes the airways red, swollen, narrower and extra-sensitive to irritants. This leads to recurrent attacks of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing, reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is triggered by allergens and makes the inside of your nose becomes inflamed and swollen. Asthma is a serious global health problem. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, 300 million people suffer from asthma and 255,000 people died of asthma in 2005. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.