AZ TO PRESENT DATA AT ATS 2014

Astrazeneca TO PRESENT respiratory data AT
ATS 2014 International conference

Benralizumab and tralokinumab data both show improvement in key measures of
asthma control for patients with specific, severe forms of asthma
Data underscore strength and breadth of AstraZeneca's respiratory pipeline

AstraZeneca today announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and
development arm, will present Phase IIb data on two novel investigational
molecules - benralizumab and tralokinumab - at the upcoming American Thoracic
Society (ATS) 2014 International Conference being held in San Diego, California,
16-21 May.

In the Phase IIb data being presented, both benralizumab and tralokinumab show
promising safety and efficacy outcomes, suggesting they may offer important new
therapeutic options for patients with specific forms of severe, uncontrolled
asthma.

"AstraZeneca is pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways in
respiratory disease, one of our core therapeutic areas, and we have a diverse
emerging pipeline covering a broad set of patients. Our approach leverages
AstraZeneca and MedImmune's combined expertise in monoclonal antibody research
with our broad experience in drug development," said Dr. Bahija Jallal,
Executive Vice President, MedImmune. "We are applying translational approaches
and generating clinical data that put us in a good position to understand the
biology, disease phenotypes and new drug combinations that will help drive step
-changes in clinical outcomes for asthma patients."

MedImmune is presenting Phase IIb asthma data on benralizumab, an
investigational monoclonal antibody binding to the interleukin-5 receptor alpha
(IL-5Rα). Benralizumab has a unique mode of action as it binds to IL-5Rα on
eosinophils and subsequently depletes eosinophils by inducing antibody dependent
cellular cytotoxicity. Eosinophils are white blood cells that are a key target
in inflammatory respiratory diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Scientific literature supports that elevated
eosinophil levels are associated with the cause and severity of asthma and
asthma exacerbations, as well as COPD exacerbations.

In the Phase IIb study, subjects with uncontrolled severe asthma and elevated
baseline blood eosinophil levels taking benralizumab had a statistically
significant reduction in their asthma exacerbation rate (AER), as well as
improvements in lung function (FEV1) and asthma control versus subjects taking
placebo over a period of one year. Specifically, the study showed that
benralizumab decreased blood eosinophil counts to very low levels after the
first dose, and reduced asthma attacks by approximately 40-70 percent depending
on dose received and baseline blood eosinophil level. (Abstract 3699,
presentation 19 May at 2:00pm PDT)

The company is also presenting Phase IIb data for tralokinumab, a human
monoclonal antibody which potently and selectively neutralises interleukin-13
(IL-13), a key cytokine considered to be a central mediator of asthma. The study
recruited a broad (all-comer) intent-to-treat population with severe
uncontrolled asthma allowing subgroup analyses of sub-populations with
biomarkers indicating an IL-13 pathogenesis. The study did not meet its primary
endpoint of reduction in AER in the all-comer population versus placebo.
However, reversible and periostin-high subgroup AER reductions were 54 percent (
-65, 87 percent) and when excluding subjects receiving oral corticosteroids, 67
percent (2, 89 percent). Improved lung function (FEV1) and improvement in
patient-reported measures and health-related quality of life (AQLQ) were
observed in periostin-high subgroups of patients along with high airway
reversibility in patients who received treatment every two weeks versus placebo.
(A6670, presentation 20 May at 8:15am PDT)

As previously communicated, benralizumab is currently in Phase III development
for asthma. A personalised healthcare strategy is included in the company's
trial design and a simple blood test is used to identify patients with elevated
blood eosinophils who are most likely to respond to therapy.

The company intends to move tralokinumab into Phase III development for asthma
and benralizumab into Phase IIl for COPD later this year. Further details will
be communicated once the first patient is dosed in a Phase III programme.

In the benralizumab and tralokinumab trials to date, frequencies of treatment
emergent serious adverse events/adverse events have been similar within
treatment and placebo groups.

"It is encouraging that benralizumab is positively affecting lung function and
asthma control in addition to reducing the rate of exacerbations in patients
with elevated eosinophils. Tralokinumab is also showing positive effect in
patients with potential biomarkers for IL-13, which helps us identify a path
forward in Phase III trials," said Dr. Bing Yao, Senior Vice President and Head
of MedImmune's Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Innovative Medicines
Unit. "Our scientists are using the necessary biomarkers to identify which
patients are most likely to benefit from our respiratory therapies, opening
doors of exploration into new and improved treatment pathways for patient care."

AstraZeneca and MedImmune will present a combined 33 abstracts at ATS. Other
accepted abstracts of note include:

  · Dosing studies of PT003, a combination of glycopyrronium and formoterol
fumarate in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler being developed by AstraZeneca's
Pearl Therapeutics. (A3758 and A3759, both presentations 19 May at 2:00pm PDT)

  · Analyses of database and survey data examining the association between
higher sputum and blood eosinophils and more frequent asthma attacks. (A2311,
presentation 18 May at 2:00pm PDT, and A4235, presentation 20 May at 8:15am PDT)

  · Benralizumab Phase IIa COPD data will be presented (A3771, presentation 19
May at 2:00       pm PDT)


AstraZeneca will host a briefing for analysts and investors during the ATS
conference, to be held in San Diego on 20 May 2014.

Note: data beyond what is included in the abstracts are embargoed until date and
time of presentation at ATS.

About benralizumab
Benralizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at the alpha subunit of
the interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5Rα) that depletes eosinophils, a key target cell
in inflammatory respiratory disease. Scientific literature supports that
eosinophil levels are associated with exacerbations and increased eosinophils
are associated with frequent exacerbations. In October 2013, AstraZeneca
announced the start of the Phase III Windward programme for benralizumab. The
goal of CALIMA, the first study in the Windward programme, is to determine
whether benralizumab reduces the number of exacerbations in patients with severe
asthma that remains uncontrolled, despite receiving high doses of inhaled
corticosteroids in combination with a second controller such as a long-acting
beta agonist.

An estimated 5 to 10 percent of the 300 million people worldwide who suffer from
asthma have a severe form, and people with eosinophilic airway inflammation
represent approximately 40 to 60 percent of the severe asthmatic population.

Benralizumab is in-licensed from BioWa, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyowa
Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.

About tralokinumab
Tralokinumab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets IL-13, a key
cytokine that is believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma
through the promotion of inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness, mucus hyper
-secretion, airway remodeling via fibrosis, increased IgE synthesis and mast
cell activation.

About MedImmune
MedImmune is the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, a
global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the
discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule and biologic
prescription medicines. 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 commercialization 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)
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Jacob Lund +46 8 553 260 20 (Sweden)

Investor Enquiries

Karl Hård +44 20 7604 8123  mob: +44 7789 654364
Colleen Proctor + 1 302 886 1842 mob: +1 302 357 4882
Anthony Brown +44 20 7604 8067 mob: +44 7585 404943
Jens Lindberg +44 20 7604 8414 mob: +44 7557 319729

12 May 2014

- ENDS -