Searle, the pharmaceutical sector of Monsanto Company, has purchased exclusive rights throughout the EEA to the product 'seloken Comp', (known as Beloc ZOC Comp. in Germany) a fixed combination of the beta blocker metoprolol and the diuretic hydrochlorthiazide.

AstraZeneca has also sold to Searle distribution rights to the beta blocker product 'Tenorminx', containing atenolol, in Sweden and Norway, in compliance with the merger conditions set out by the Commission. AstraZeneca has extended such distribution rights to Searle to cover 'Tenormin' in Denmark and Finland, and the beta blocker combination product 'Tenoretic' in Denmark.

Financial details were not disclosed and the deal represents less than one per cent of AstraZeneca PLC's net assets.