AstraZeneca and Avanir Enter Global Alliance

AstraZeneca has entered into an exclusive global licensing and research collaboration agreement with US-based Avanir Pharmaceuticals for the discovery, development and commercialisation of Reverse Cholesterol Transport, RCT, enhancing compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Under the terms of the agreement, Avanir will receive an upfront payment of $10 million. In addition, Avanir is eligible for milestone payments totalling $330 million contingent upon the achievement of development and regulatory milestones and on achievement of sales targets, together with the payment of stepped royalties rising from single digit to low double-digit rates dependent on sales achieved. AstraZeneca will assume responsibility for development, as well as product discovery and development costs, and both parties will contribute scientific expertise in the research collaboration.

RCT enhancing compounds aim to enhance the flow of lipids from tissues such as blood vessel walls and the transportation of lipids to the liver for excretion by promoting a natural process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Compounds that enhance this pathway may potentially reverse existing vascular disease in comparison to current agents, which to date have only been shown to prevent disease progression.

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 over $21.4 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, oncology and neuroscience products.

For further information please contact:

Staffan Ternby,

Information Director

Tel: +46 0 70 557 4300

Email: staffan.ternby@astrazeneca.com

Or visit: http://www.astrazeneca.com