ASTRAZENECA AND MERCK & CO., INC. FORM PIONEERING COLLABORATION TO INVESTIGATE NOVEL COMBINATION ANTICANCER REGIMEN

ASTRAZENECA AND MERCK & CO., INC. FORM PIONEERING COLLABORATION TO INVESTIGATE
NOVEL COMBINATION ANTICANCER REGIMEN

For immediate release: 1 June 2009

AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc. today announced a collaboration to research a
novel combination anticancer regimen composed of two investigational compounds,
MK-2206 from Merck and AZD6244 (ARRY-886*) from AstraZeneca. 

Preclinical evidence indicates that combined administration of these compounds
could enhance their anticancer properties.  This is the first time that two
large pharmaceutical companies have established a collaboration to evaluate the
potential for combining candidate molecules at such an early stage of
development.  The collaboration will more quickly advance a potentially
promising anticancer treatment.  In general, such combinations would only be
studied when one or both of the drugs has entered late-stage development or
received marketing approval.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca and Merck will work together to
evaluate co-administration of the compounds in a Phase I clinical trial for the
treatment of solid cancer tumors.  All development costs will be shared jointly.
 Following the Phase I trial, the companies will consider opportunities for
further clinical development.

Each candidate is designed to inhibit a protein known to be abnormally activated
in human cancers.  In preclinical studies, AZD6244 has been shown to affect MEK
(Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1), an important signal that promotes cancer
cell growth and survival.  AZD6244 has completed Phase I evaluation,
demonstrating proof of mechanism, and several Phase II monotherapy studies,
which showed evidence of clinical activity.  It is currently in Phase II
clinical trials in a range of tumor types.  Merck's MK-2206 has demonstrated an
effect on AKT (a component of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathway), an
important signal promoting cancer cell survival.  Phase I clinical data on
MK-2206 were presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology
annual meeting. 
"There is strong scientific rationale to suggest that the potential benefit to
cancer patients of this combination may far exceed the sum of the parts," said
Gary Gilliland, senior vice president and franchise head Oncology, Merck
Research Laboratories.  "In order to harness the true potential of the combined
administration of the compounds, AstraZeneca and Merck have established a
pioneering, early stage collaboration based on our mutual determination to
develop impactful therapies that improve patients' lives."

"This collaboration brings together two leading companies with a wealth of
expertise in oncology," said Alan Barge, vice president and head of Oncology at
AstraZeneca.  "Through this agreement we are well positioned to implement a
detailed and timely evaluation of the therapeutic potential of this novel
combination, with the aim of bringing this potentially effective regimen to
patients as rapidly as possible."

Exploring Two Anticancer Agents with Two Distinct Targets
Advances in cancer research have led to a new generation of drugs designed to
precisely target features specific to cancer cells while minimizing the effect
on healthy cells.  Several of these drugs provide patient benefit as
monotherapy, but increasingly the ability of cancer cells to adapt and develop
resistance has become apparent.  Research suggests that combination therapies
that include drugs with different mechanisms of action impacting cancer cells in
multiple ways may provide an improved anticancer benefit and decrease the risk
of relapse.  

Molecular profiling of human solid tumors has shown that both the MEK and AKT
pathways are frequently abnormally activated.  Preclinical studies have
suggested that simultaneously inhibiting both of these pathways may have
synergistic effects on tumor cell growth.

Usually, combinations of novel anticancer agents would only be studied in
clinical trials when one component of the regimen is at a late stage of
development or when one compound has received marketing approval.  This
agreement is pioneering in that two major pharmaceutical companies, each with
one component of the combination regimen in its pipeline, are collaborating at
an early stage in development, so that effective treatments may be brought to
patients as rapidly as possible.  

- ENDS -

NOTES TO EDITORS:
* AstraZeneca acquired exclusive worldwide rights to AZD6244 (ARRY-886) from
Array Biopharma Inc. in December 2003.

About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the
research, development, manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription
medicines and supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the
world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US$ 31.6
billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience,
respiratory, oncology and infectious disease medicines.  For more information
about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated
to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers,
develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet
medical needs. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to
medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but
help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased
health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit
http://www.merck.com.

CONTACTS:

AstraZeneca Media Enquiries:
Ann-Leena Mikiver 070-742 88 36
Neil McCrae	+44 207 304 5045  (24 hours)	
Chris Sampson	+44 20 7304 5130  (24 hours)
Sarah Lindgreen	+44 20 7304 5033  (24 hours)

Merck Media Enquiries:
Ian R. McConnell	+1 973 901 5722

AstraZeneca Investor Enquiries UK:
Jonathan Hunt	+44 207 304 5087	mob: +44 7775 704032
Karl Hard		+44 207 304 5322      mob: +44 7789 654364

AstraZeneca 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

Merck Investors Enquiries:
Eva Boratto		+1 908 423 5185

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