Patients Begin Enrolling in Studies to Determine if Women With BRCA 1 & 2 Positive Cancer may Receive Greater Benefit From New Treatment

Alderley Park, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

- FOR NON-US HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL PRESS ONLY

- AstraZeneca Collaborates With Myriad Genetics on Phase 2 Trials

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) today announced the start of two Phase II
trials for a new compound being tested to treat patients with BRCA 1
& 2 positive breast and ovarian cancer. Myriad Genetics, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MYGN, www.myriad.com), is providing the molecular diagnostic
testing (BRACAnalysis(TM)) for these trials.

The ICEBERG (International Collaborative Expertise for BRCA
Education and Research through Genetics) studies are intended to
evaluate the ability of AZD2281 (KU-0059436), a PARP (poly-ADP-ribose
polymerase) inhibitor, to treat patients with breast cancer or
ovarian cancer associated with an inherited mutation in one of the
cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are involved in DNA repair and when this
function is lost due to a mutation, cells are unable to repair breaks
in DNA. Research has shown that women who inherit faults in either
the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are predisposed to a higher incidence of
breast and ovarian cancer. It is hypothesised that PARP inhibitors
work by inhibiting DNA repair in the BRCA deficient tumour cells,
thereby overloading these cells with DNA damage and selectively
killing these cells. The trials will evaluate the extent of patient
response to the treatment and time to disease progression amongst
other indicators of clinical benefit.

Lead Investigator for the trials, Dr Andrew Tutt, clinician
scientist at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre and
breast oncologist at Guy's Hospital, London, said: "Having
demonstrated the potential of PARP inhibitors through lab work
carried out at the Breakthrough Research Centre, we hope these trials
will help us confirm the results in the clinic, leading to the
development of a targeted treatment for this type of cancer."

Gregory Critchfield, M.D., President of Myriad Genetic
Laboratories, Inc. added "There is enormous potential for patient
benefit from the synergy between the molecular diagnosis of breast or
ovarian cancer and a specific, targeted therapeutic. Myriad's
BRACAnalysis(TM) test is a highly sensitive proven method for finding
mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The individuals with breast or ovarian
cancer who carry these mutations are candidates for the PARP
inhibitor therapy approach. It may become more important than ever to
know whether a patient with breast or ovarian cancer is BRCA1 or
BRCA2 mutation positive."

Study Details

The two studies will enrol up to 40 patients each:

- Breast study: phase II, open-label, non-comparative,
international, multicentre study to assess the efficacy and safety of
AZD2281 given orally in patients with advanced BRCA1- or
BRCA2-associated breast cancer.

- Entry criteria - measurable advanced breast cancer (stage
IIIB/IIIC/IV) and confirmed BRCA+ status.

- Ovarian study: phase II, open-label, non-comparative,
international, multicentre study to assess the efficacy and safety of
AZD2281 given orally in patients with advanced BRCA1- or
BRCA2-associated ovarian cancer.

- Entry criteria - measurable advanced ovarian cancer (stage
IIIB/IIIC/IV) and confirmed BRCA+ status.

Notes to Editors:

- 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 US$26.47 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 FTSE4 Good Index.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit:
www.astrazeneca.com

- Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK's leading charity committed
to fighting breast cancer through research, campaigning and
education. Our vision is a future free from the fear of breast
cancer. More information can be found at: www.breakthrough.org.uk or
through the Breakthrough Information Line 08080-100-200.

- Breakthrough Breast Cancer has established the UK's first
dedicated breast cancer research centre, in partnership with The
Institute of Cancer Research, - The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast
Cancer Research Centre situated in the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
Building, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer
Research. Under the directorship of Professor Alan Ashworth, its 100
scientists and clinicians are working on a programme of cutting edge
biological research that ultimately aims to eradicate breast cancer,
by discovering the causes of the disease, finding methods of
prevention and developing new treatments and more effective
diagnosis.

- BRACAnalysis(TM) is a trademark of Myriad Genetics, Inc. in the
United States and other countries.

- Myriad Genetics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the development of novel healthcare products. The Company develops
and markets predictive medicine products, and is developing and
intends to market therapeutic products. Myriad's news and other
information are available on the Company's Web site at
www.myriad.com.

- KuDOS Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
AstraZeneca. AZ acquired KuDOS Pharmaceuticals in Feb 2006. KuDOS
research is focused on the discovery of molecules to treat cancer in
the area of DNA repair inhibition.

- KuDOS Pharmaceuticals will run the international, multi-center
clinical trial and reimburse Myriad for provision of the molecular
diagnostic testing for the trial. Myriad will have exclusive
worldwide rights to diagnostic applications of the findings from the
study and KuDOS, all rights to its therapeutic and its applications.

ots Originaltext: AstraZeneca
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information, please contact: Carrie Deverell, Global
Public Relations Manager, AstraZeneca, Mobile: +44-(0)7920845108,
carrie.deverell@astrazeneca.com