AstraZeneca announced today that it has withdrawn its Symbicort Single Inhaler Therapy(R) file for the EU. As a result of discussions during the Mutual Recognition Process, AstraZeneca expects a file to be submitted in the second half of next year (2005), with additional data from recently completed (COSMOS) and ongoing studies designed to provide further confirmation of this new treatment concept.

Anders Ekblom, Vice President and Head of Respiratory and Inflammation Therapy Area at AstraZeneca, said; \"Symbicort Single Inhaler Therapy is an innovative approach to the treatment of asthma and we have already provided clear evidence that, when compared to today’s gold-standard treatments, it shows clinically significant benefits for patients. Symbicort Single Inhaler Therapy yields a reduction of asthma exacerbations, a reduced need for other treatments, a reduction in the number of hospitalisations/emergency room visits and a decrease in overall corticosteroid load. We firmly believe that this new treatment concept has a very important role to play in the future management of asthma\".

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 $18.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience and respiratory products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

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