<AsiaNet> New Website Looks at the Science Behind Stroke

(MACCLESFIELD, Sept. 11 AsiaNet=연합뉴스)

www.novelneuroprotection.com Aims to Increase Understanding of Acute

Ischemic Stroke and the Potential Role of Neuroprotection

A new resource for the international medical community was launched in

September 2006 by AstraZeneca, http://www.novelneuroprotection.com. This

educational site aims to help healthcare professionals understand more about

acute ischemic stroke and the potential therapeutic approach of

neuroprotection.

Dr. Tomas Odergren, Global Product Director, AstraZeneca commented,

"Around a third of the 15 million people worldwide who suffer a stroke each

year are left permanently disabled. There are relatively few treatment options

available for acute stroke patients. Neuroprotectants are a new class of drugs

in development to treat this life-shattering condition. This website is

designed to help stroke specialists and other healthcare professionals

understand the science behind neuroprotection and the latest advances in

technology."

The site includes key information on the effects of cerebral ischemia,

which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked during a stroke.

Cerebral ischemia triggers a series of biochemical events known as the ischemic

cascade. This results in the death of brain cells, or neurons, in the core

affected area of the brain. In addition, neurons are injured in the wider

surrounding area, known as the ischemic penumbra. Neuroprotectants are thought

to help preserve brain cells in the ischemic penumbra by interfering with the

damaging events of the ischemic cascade.

In a series of short articles, the web site explains these changes which

take place at the cellular and molecular level. Details of how neuroprotectants

are thought to interfere with these events and could potentially offer improved

outcomes for stroke patients are also discussed. With the stroke image atlas,

healthcare professionals have access to over 750 high-quality images that are

accompanied by detailed explanatory text. It provides a visual and practical

insight into the etiology, diagnosis, and management of stroke. In addition,

http://www.novelneuroprotection.com is interactive and features constantly

updated stroke news, a calendar of stroke events, key international meetings

and links to relevant PubMed articles.

Alternatively visit http://www.astrazenecapressoffice.com

Notes to Editors:

-- AstraZeneca is currently developing NXY-059, an investigational drug

for treatment of stroke, licensed from Renovis, Inc. NXY-059 has a

proposed mechanism of action of free radical trapping and is being

studied as a neuroprotectant in clinical trials based on positive

effects seen in experimental models of acute ischemic stroke.

-- The SAINT trials for NXY-059 are being conducted worldwide in

approximately 400 centres across 40 countries to evaluate the effect of

the compound in acute ischemic stroke patients. These countries and

regions include: Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa,

United States, Canada and Latin America. SAINT II is due to report in

the first half of 2007.

-- NXY-059 was previously referred to as 'Cerovive.' NXY-059 will be used

from this point forward until a global trademark has been approved.

-- A preliminary analysis of SAINT I was first presented at the European

Stroke Congress in May 2005.

-- CHANT (Cerebral Hemorrhagic And NXY-059 Treatment) is a double-blind,

randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center, phase IIb

study to assess the safety and tolerability of NXY-059 in adult

patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. This study is complete

and is due to report in Q1 2006.

About AstraZeneca

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 over $21.4 billion

and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,

respiratory, oncology and neuroscience products.

AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as

well as the FTSE4Good Index.

In Neuroscience, AstraZeneca markets several products including

SEROQUEL(R), one of the fastest growing global antipsychotics and ZOMIG(R), a

migraine therapy and a leader within the global triptan market. The

Neuroscience pipeline includes investigational compounds for the treatment of

depression and anxiety, overactive bladder, dementia, stroke, pain control and

anaesthesia.

SOURCE: AstraZeneca

CONTACT: Virginie Bousquet,

of AstraZeneca,

Tel: +44-0-162-551-7831,

Virginie.Bousquet@astrazeneca.com;

Nii Turkson,

of Porter Novelli for AstraZeneca,

Tel: +44-0-207-853-2237,

Fax: +44-0-207-853-2244,

Nii.Turkson@porternovelli.co.uk

Web site: http://www.novelneuroprotection.com

http://www.astrazenecapressoffice.com

(AZN)

anet@yna.co.kr

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