AstraZeneca Begins Operations

On April 6, 1999, Astra AB and Zeneca Group PLC merged, creating AstraZeneca PLC (London). Just 40 working days later, the new company held its first official day of operations. The merger itself was completed in 80 working days—a record for a merger of this size and complexity.

Since the merger, teams from both Astra and Zeneca have been working to achieve an efficient and effective integration of the two companies in the US, where approximately 50% of the company's sales are generated, and in the 100 countries around the world where Astra and Zeneca have operations.

AstraZeneca has also revealed its new logo, which will appear in national advertisements in publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post. The logo will also appear on the company's new US website. The logo is a stylized joining of the letters "A" and "Z" placed at the end of the corporate name.

AstraZeneca PLC is a pharmaceutical company focusing on gastrointestinal, oncology, anesthesia (including pain management), cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS), and respiratory products.

For more information: Tom McKillop, CEO, AstraZeneca PLC, 15 Stanhope Gate, London W1Y6LN, UK. Tel: +44-171-304-5000. Fax: +44-171-304-5151.