US FDA APPROVES ONCE-DAILY XIGDUO™ XR TABLETS

US FDA APPROVES ONCE-DAILY XIGDUO™ XR TABLETS FOR ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

First US approval for once-daily tablet combining SGLT2 inhibitor

and metformin HCl extended-release

AstraZeneca today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has
approved once-daily XIGDUO™ XR (dapagliflozin and metformin hydrochloride
extended-release) for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

XIGDUO XR combines two anti-hyperglycaemic agents with complementary mechanisms
of action, dapagliflozin (trade name in the US, FARXIGATM), an inhibitor of
sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), and metformin hydrochloride (HCl)
extended-release, a biguanide, in a once-daily oral tablet. SGLT2 inhibitors are
a relatively new class of medicines that remove glucose from the body via the
kidneys.

XIGDUO XR is the first and only once-daily combination tablet of an SGLT2
inhibitor and metformin HCl extended-release to be approved in the United
States. XIGDUO XR is indicated as an adjunct therapy to diet and exercise to
improve glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when treatment
with both dapagliflozin and metformin is appropriate.

"The addition of XIGDUO XR to our US diabetes portfolio is further evidence of
AstraZeneca's commitment to develop new treatment options for patients with type
2 diabetes," said Elisabeth Björk, Head of Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Global
Medicines Development, AstraZeneca. "The approval of once-daily XIGDUO XR
provides prescribers and adult patients with another treatment choice,
supporting a more personalised approach to disease management."

XIGDUO XR is already approved in Australia for the treatment of adults with type
2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. XIGDUO (dapagliflozin and metformin
hydrochloride), which uses an immediate-release form of metformin, is approved
in the European Union.

About XIGDUO XR Dosing

XIGDUO XR is approved with multiple dosage strengths of dapagliflozin and
metformin HCl extended release, respectively, including 5 mg/500 mg, 5 mg/1000
mg, 10 mg/500 mg, and 10 mg/1000 mg, and the starting dose should be
individualised based on each patient's current treatment regimen. XIGDUO XR
should be taken once daily in the morning with food with gradual dose escalation
to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects due to metformin. The
maximum daily recommended dose is 10 mg for dapagliflozin and 2,000 mg for
metformin HCl.

About the Clinical Development Programme

The co-administration of dapagliflozin and metformin has been studied in adults
with type 2 diabetes. The US FDA approved once-daily XIGDUO XR based upon four
Phase III clinical trials, which provided clinical evidence for the efficacy and
safety of dapagliflozin and metformin IR or XR tablets in treatment-naïve
patients, in patients inadequately controlled on metformin, as well as compared
to a sulfonylurea (glipizide) plus metformin. There have been no clinical
studies conducted with XIGDUO XR combination tablets. Bioequivalence was
demonstrated in healthy adults between XIGDUO XR and dapagliflozin plus
metformin XR as separate tablets.

About Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is estimated to affect 29.1 million people in the US and more than 382
million people worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is projected to reach more
than 592 million people worldwide by 2035. Type 2 diabetes accounts for
approximately 90-95 percent of all cases of diagnosed diabetes in the US. Type 2
diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by pathophysiologic defects leading
to elevated glucose levels. Significant unmet needs still exist, as many
patients remain inadequately controlled on their current glucose-lowering
regimen.

About SGLT2 Inhibition

The kidney plays a contributing role in maintaining normal glucose balance, in
part by filtering and subsequently reabsorbing glucose back into circulation.
SGLT2, a sodium-glucose cotransporter found predominantly in the kidney, is
responsible for the majority of glucose reabsorption. Selective inhibition of
SGLT2 reduces the reabsorption of glucose and enables its removal via the urine.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that
focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription
medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic,
respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience
diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative
medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information
please visit: www.astrazeneca.com

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30 October 2014

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