AstraZeneca PLC announces that, in connection with the previously announced proposed merger of AstraZeneca's agrochemicals business with the agribusiness of Novartis AG to form Syngenta AG, it will commence today the despatch to its shareholders of a Circular and Notice calling an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company on 11 October 2000, as well as a Summary Syngenta Listing Document or in the case of US shareholders, the Syngenta Registration Statement on Form F-4.

The despatch to AstraZeneca shareholders who hold their AstraZeneca shares through the VPC system in Sweden will commence later this week. The documents will be available in English and Swedish later today on the AstraZeneca website as described below.

FORMATION OF SYNGENTA

For Shareholders, the formation of Syngenta will:

For AstraZeneca the formation of Syngenta will:

Tom McKillop Chief Executive of AstraZeneca said:

"The creation of Syngenta will offer shareholders a focused investment with a strong leadership position in agri business. Syngenta will be well positioned to capitalise on the strengths of the combined business in this key market. For AstraZeneca, the formation of Syngenta will represent a significant milestone in our corporate development as we become a focused pharmaceuticals company."

Mr Michael Pragnell, Chief Executive Officer designate of Syngenta said:

"The combination of these two agri businesses is powerful and exciting. Syngenta will offer outstanding product, marketing and research strengths supported by first class global management. Syngenta will be the No 1 agribusiness in this $40 billion market."

COMPLETION TIMETABLE

It is presently anticipated that the listing of Syngenta on the Swiss, London, Stockholm and New York Stock Exchanges will take place in mid-November, subject to the approval of the US competition authorities.

ASTRAZENECA BOARD

Following the completion of the Syngenta transactions, Michael Pragnell, currently an Executive Director of AstraZeneca PLC and Chief Executive Officer of Zeneca Agrochemicals, will resign from the Board of the Company. Mr Pragnell will become Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Syngenta AG.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Shareholders with any questions about the transactions or who would like additional copies of the Circular, the Summary Syngenta Listing Document, the Full Syngenta Listing Document, which is described in the Circular, or the US Syngenta Registration Statement should call:

With effect from noon today the documents described below can be accessed via the AstraZeneca website at www.astrazeneca.com .

(i) The Shareholders Circular and Notice of EGM, in English and Swedish;

(ii) The Chairman's Introduction and Question and Answer document, in English and Swedish;

(iii) The Syngenta Summary Listing Document in Swedish; and

(iv) The US Syngenta Registration Statement in English.