Atacand CHARM Study

RNS Number:2131P
AstraZeneca PLC
01 September 2003

 NEW DATA DEMONSTRATES CLEAR BENEFITS OF ATACAND(R) IN TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC
                                 HEART FAILURE



Atacand(R), the only Angiotensin Receptor Blocker to reduce cardiovascular death
     and hospitalisation in chronic heart failure when given together with
                              conventional therapy



AstraZeneca announced today that data presented at the European Society of
Cardiology annual meeting demonstrated Atacand(R) (candesartan cilexetil)
reduces both cardiovascular deaths as well as hospital admissions for heart
failure, across a broad spectrum of patients with chronic heart failure.

Atacand is the only Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) to increase survival in
chronic heart failure patients with left ventricular dysfunction, whether or not
they are taking an ACE-inhibitor.

"This new data differentiates Atacand from other ARBs and provides AstraZeneca
with a unique opportunity to make the benefits of the drug available to a wider
population of patients with chronic heart failure" said Gunnar Olsson,
AstraZeneca's Vice President Cardiovascular Therapy Area

The Candesartan in Heart failure - Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and
morbidity (CHARM) Programme, which recruited 7,601 patients, is the largest ever
trial programme conducted in heart failure with an AT1-receptor blocker.
Patients with classic symptomatic chronic heart failure - depressed left
ventricular (LV) systolic function (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) <
40 per cent), were randomised into one of two studies - either an ACE-inhibitor
intolerant population (CHARM-Alternative), or the population treated with
ACE-inhibitors (CHARM-Added). In addition, patients with preserved LV systolic
function (LVEF> 40 per cent) were also randomised in a third study (CHARM
Preserved). All patients received either Atacand or placebo.

Atacand showed an overall 23 per cent reduction (p