MEDIMMUNE ACQUIRES DEFINIENS

AstraZeneca today announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and
development arm, has entered into an agreement to acquire Definiens, a privately
-held company that has pioneered a world-leading imaging and data analysis
technology, known as Tissue Phenomics™, which dramatically improves the
identification of biomarkers in tumour tissue.

Definiens' proprietary Cognition Network Technology® was developed by Professor
Gerd Binnig, the 1986 Nobel Laureate in Physics, and unlocks information from
cancer tissue samples by measuring the identity, locations and, most
importantly, the relationships between the many and varied components of the
complex tumour microenvironment.

Under the terms of the agreement, MedImmune will acquire 100 percent of
Definiens' shares for an initial consideration of $150 million and make
additional predetermined milestone payments. Definiens will continue to operate
its business with third-party customers.

The acquisition will strengthen MedImmune's focus on the discovery of novel
predictive biomarkers in immuno-oncology.  It is believed that using biomarkers
to select patients for clinical trials could potentially shorten clinical
timelines and increase response rates.  As a result, the technology will serve
as an important tool in the advancement of the most promising combination
therapies across AstraZeneca's combined small molecule and biologics pipeline,
around 80 percent of which currently has a personalised healthcare approach.

"MedImmune has a comprehensive programme in immuno-oncology and the
identification of patients who are most likely to respond to particular
therapies is critical to our ability to successfully develop new medicines,"
said Dr. Bahija Jallal, Executive Vice President, MedImmune. "Definiens'
technology will complement our immuno-oncology approach and allow us to
accelerate further our clinical programmes through its highly precise predictive
and prognostic biomarker testing. We look forward to working with Definiens'
scientists to give patients the best chance of receiving the targeted medicines
suited for their particular needs."

Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President of Innovative Medicines and Early
Development, AstraZeneca, added: "Definiens brings a distinctive technology that
will have application across the organisation as well as supporting our immuno
-oncology efforts. Harnessing this groundbreaking technology will reinforce our
approach to developing companion diagnostics that help us in selecting the
patients who would benefit the most from therapies across our small molecule and
biologics portfolios."

Thomas Heydler, Chief Executive Officer, Definiens, said: "Definiens' Tissue
Phenomics approach marks a significant step toward closing the gap between
genomics and patient outcomes.  We look forward to joining the MedImmune team as
Tissue Phenomics is of particular importance for personalised medicine in immuno
-oncology. Definiens' unique ability to extract information from tissue images
enables us to find novel markers for patient stratification by correlating
tissue information with clinical outcomes. Together, MedImmune and Definiens can
bring tailored treatments to patients faster."

The proposed transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

About Definiens

Definiens is the leading provider of image analysis and data mining solutions
for tissue diagnostics and clinical digital pathology. Definiens technology
provides detailed cell-by-cell readouts from target structures on tissue slides
and allows the correlation of this information with data derived from other
sources, generating new knowledge and supporting better decisions in research,
diagnostics and therapy.  Definiens' Tissue Phenomics approach was awarded the
2013 Frost and Sullivan Company of the Year Award for Global Tissue Diagnostics
and Pathology Imaging.  For more information, please visit: www.definiens.com.

About MedImmune

MedImmune is the global biologics research and develoment arm of AstraZeneca.
MedImmune is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across
key therapeutic areas, including respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity;
cardiovascular and metabolic disease; oncology; neuroscience; and infection and
vaccines.  The MedImmune headquarters is located in Gaithersburg, Md., one of
AstraZeneca's three global R&D centers.  For more information, please visit
www.medimmune.com.

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.

CONTACTS

Media Enquiries
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Vanessa Rhodes    +44 20 7604 8037 (UK/Global)
Ayesha Bharmal    +44 20 7604 8034 (UK/Global)
Tracy Rossin      +1 301 412 8236 (US/MedImmune)
Jacob Lund        +46 8 553 260 20 (Sweden)

Investor Enquiries
Thomas Kudsk Larsen  +44 20 7604 8199  mob: +44 7818 524185
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Jens Lindberg                          mob: +44 7557 319729
Anthony Brown        +44 20 7604 8067  mob: +44 7585 404943
Eugenia Litz         +44 20 7604 8233  mob: +44 7884 735627

04 November 2014

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