ASTRAZENECA PROVIDES UPDATE ON AGREEMENT WITH ABRAXIS BIOSCIENCE FOR CO-PROMOTION OF ABRAXANE IN THE US


ASTRAZENECA PROVIDES UPDATE ON AGREEMENT WITH ABRAXIS BIOSCIENCE FOR
CO-PROMOTION OF ABRAXANE IN THE US

On 19 November 2008, AstraZeneca entered into an agreement with Abraxis
BioScience, LLC, under which, subject to the satisfaction of terms and
conditions thereof, Abraxis would re-acquire exclusive rights to market ABRAXANE
in the United States.

Under the agreement, the board of Abraxis' parent will consider ending the
Co-Promotion Agreement between 1 January and 5 January 2009, and if board
approval is procured, the end of the Co-Promotion Agreement will be effective on
the date of AstraZeneca's timely receipt of notice of such board approval.  If
board approval is obtained, Abraxis will pay AstraZeneca a $268 million fee on
31 March 2009.  If board approval is not obtained, then the Co-Promotion
Agreement will continue with an amended commission to AstraZeneca of 50%. 

AstraZeneca will continue to promote ABRAXANE until AstraZeneca receives timely
confirmation that the board of directors of Abraxis' parent has approved ending
the Co-Promotion Agreement.  

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in research,
development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and
supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading
pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US $29.55 billion and is a
leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology
and infection product sales. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.  For more
Information visit www.astrazeneca.com


Media Enquiries UK:
Neil McCrae		+44 207 304 5045  (24 hours)	
Chris Sampson	+44 20 7304 5130  (24 hours)	

Investor Enquiries UK:
Jonathan Hunt	+44 207 304 5087	mob: +44 7775 704032
Mina Blair		+44 20 7304 5084   	mob: +44 7718 581021
Karl Hard		+44 207 304 5322     	mob: +44 7789 654364

Investor Enquiries US:
Ed Seage		+1 302 886 4065   	mob: +1 302 373 1361
Jorgen Winroth	+1 212 579 0506   	mob: +1 917 612 4043

Media Enquiries US:
Kirsten Evraire	+ 1 302 885 0435


25 November 2008

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