MOLNDAL, SWEDEN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- August 03, 2006 -- Today marks the publication of the first globally developed definition of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by world leading experts in gastroenterology, representing an important advance in the classification of this common disease.(1)
Driven by an international consensus group of 43 experts from 18 countries, the Global Montreal Definition of GERD is designed to meet the needs of physicians and patients by simplifying current clinical practice - thereby supporting improved patient diagnosis and management of GERD.

In recent years, it has become obvious that GERD is responsible for a range of symptoms (typical and atypical) and complications. In addition, diseases and conditions such as asthma, chest pain and sleep disturbance are associated with reflux - resulting in confusion and uncertainty among primary care professionals. This has led to inconsistencies in patient diagnosis and sub-optimal patient care.

The Global Montreal Definition of GERD brings the broad variety of symptoms and complications of GERD into one framework. Ultimately, this should simplify disease management.

Several ongoing clinical trials evaluating the effects of PPI therapy - the mainstay of GERD treatment - on some of these atypical GERD symptoms and complications have shown promising results. A recently published trial revealed that adding esomeprazole (Nexium®) to existing treatment improved pulmonary function in people with moderate to severe asthma.(2) Additionally, a study of asthmatic patients with cough and reflux showed that three months treatment with esomeprazole 40 mg once daily substantially improved cough, pulmonary function, asthma symptoms and reflux symptoms.(3)

Moreover, clinical trial data presented at the 78th American Heart Association Scientific Sessions reported that adding esomeprazole to standard cardiac therapy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly reduced the incidence of non-cardiac chest pain, physician and emergency room visits compared to patients taking placebo.(4)

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About Nexium®

Nexium ® (esomeprazole), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), works by deactivating the proton pumps that produce stomach acid, reducing the amount of acid that is in the stomach. Several comparative clinical trials with more than 15,000 patients with Nexium®, including the EXPO, the EAZEE and Metropole studies, confirm that Nexium® provides superior acid control which translates into clinical benefits. (5,6,7,8,9,10) Nexium® is only available on prescription.

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 $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

For more information, please visit www.astrazenecapressoffice.com, www.patienthealthinternational.com, www.gastrosource.com or www.astrazeneca.com.

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Mia Ekdahl
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