Atacand(R) proven to prevent stroke in the elderly

(Orlando, 10 November 2003) – Data presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) annual meeting highlight the potential of Atacand® (candesartan cilexetil) in reducing the incidence of stroke in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).

Data from a pre-specified analysis in the group of patients with ISH, demonstrate a dramatic 42% relative risk reduction (p=0.05) in fatal/non-fatal strokes in the Atacand group compared to the control group, despite little difference in blood pressure lowering.

A total of 4,964 patients aged 70-89 years with systolic blood pressure 160-179 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure 90-99 mmHg were enrolled in the SCOPE* study. Patients were then randomly assigned to double-blind candesartan or placebo with standard open-label anti-hypertensive therapy added as needed to control blood pressure. 1,518 of these patients had ISH (SBP > 160 and DBP <90 mmHg).

"ISH is the predominant form of hypertension in the elderly, with stroke the most common cardiovascular complication in this age group. These results demonstrate that reducing blood pressure with Atacand offers important clinical benefit by reducing the risk of stroke in this patient group", comments Professor Papademetriou, Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.

The study showed that a total of 20 strokes (3 fatal, 17 non-fatal) occurred in the Atacand treatment group, whereas 35 (7 fatal, 28 non-fatal) occurred in the control group. The study revealed similar reductions in blood pressure in the two groups; blood pressure fell by 22/6 mmHg in the Atacand group and 20/5 mmHg in the control group.

Hypertension is reported to affect about 20% of adults around the world and is considerably higher in the elderly (>60 years), with an estimated prevalence of more than 50%¹. ISH is the most common form of hypertension in the elderly accounting for approximately two thirds of all cases of hypertension among these individuals^2,3,4.

ISH has been shown to increase cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality two-fold or more and can triple cardiovascular mortality5. Hypertension remains the single most important risk factor for stroke6.

"These data show Atacand to offer real benefits to patients at risk of stroke due to ISH and further add to the body of evidence for Atacand in reducing CV mortality and morbidity," comments Anders Svensson, VP Medical Director, Cardiovascular Therapy Area. "We are pleased to have worked with the SCOPE study group on this project."

Atacand has an established track record in blood pressure reduction with proven efficacy and placebo-like tolerability. SCOPE is one of a number of large-scale trials and complements the recent announcement of the CHARM* data at this year's European Society of Cardiology congress. CHARM demonstrates the clear benefits of Atacand in the treatment of symptomatic heart failure, both in patients taking an ACE-inhibitor and/or other conventional therapy, and in those who cannot take an ACE-inhibitor. DIRECT*, a study investigating Atacand in diabetic retinopathy, is due to report in 2006/7.

* Trial Acronyms:
SCOPE = Study on COgnition and Prognosis in the Elderly
CHARM = Candesartan in Heart failure - Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) study programme
DIRECT = Diabetic Retinopathy Candesartan Trials

For more information, please visit www.astrazenecapressoffice.com or contact:
Amanda Sefton - Ketchum
Onsite at AHA congress, Orlando
Mobile: 44-7958-228-097
Office: 44-207-611-3613
Email: amanda.sefton@ketchum.com

Anette Orheim - AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca
Mobile: 46-709-13-19-52
Office: 46-46-33-80-87
Email: anette.orheim@astrazeneca.com

Lisa Marriott
Ketchum, London office
Mobile: 44-7949-412-236
Office: 44-207-611-3691
Email: lisa.marriott@ketchum.com

Notes to editors

The Study on COgnition and Prognosis in the Elderly (SCOPE)