The new indication for Seloken® ZOK (metoprolol CR/XL; controlled release/extended release) in Denmark is for the treatment of mild to severe chronic heart failure as an adjunct to other heart failure therapy. Clinical trial support for the granting of the licence comes from the results of the MERIT-HF study, published recently, which provided overwhelming evidence of the benefits of Seloken® ZOK in patients with heart failure of varying degrees of severity when added to standard therapy with an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic. Seloken® ZOK treatment resulted in highly significant outcomes - a 34% increase in overall survival, a decrease of 41% in sudden death and a decrease in death due to worsening heart failure of 49%. Hospitalisations due to heart failure were also significantly reduced. The ZOK presentation provides smooth 24-hour blood levels of Seloken® with fewer side effects than the shorter-acting product.

Dr Hamish Cameron, Therapy Area Director, Cardiovascular Products, said: "The treatment of heart failure with beta blockers in general and Seloken® ZOK in particular offers the prospect of a longer and better quality life to thousands of people."

Heart failure is a common condition with distressing and disabling symptoms of fatigue and breathlessness. It is associated in many cases with worse outcomes than those of cancer. The MERIT-HF results indicate that by treating 27 patients for one year with Seloken® ZOK, one death can be prevented. This is a highly effective form of treatment.

Seloken® ZOK, the world's leading beta blocker, had worldwide sales in 1999 totalled US$ 531 million. It is known as Toprol-XL® in the United States where it is also the market leader.

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.