Approximately 4,000 medical records from premature infants born at 32-to-35 weeks gestational age were reviewed. Fifty percent of those infants received Synagis. RSV prophylaxis was requested, but not administered in about one quarter of these infants. This group was found to have an RSV hospitalization rate of 8.3 percent, which was almost three times the rate of RSV hospitalization among those infants whose physicians did not request RSV prophylaxis (2.9 percent).

"These data support our position that pediatricians should have the final say in the diagnosis and care of their high-risk patients," said Jessie Groothuis, M.D., lead author of the study and MedImmune vice president, medical and scientific affairs, infectious disease. "Our findings indicate that after nearly 10 years of use of Synagis, the clinical judgment and experience of physicians serve to identify infants at high risk of RSV hospitalization, and should be relied upon to ensure patients get proper care."

This retrospective chart review, conducted in 10 geographic regions across the United States, included 376 physicians from 2005 to 2006. Data were presented at a poster session at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Annual Meeting being held this week in Honolulu, HI.

    <<
    About Synagis
    >>

Synagis (palivizumab) is indicated for the prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children at high risk of RSV disease. Synagis is given as a shot, usually in the thigh muscle, each month during the RSV season. The first dose of Synagis should be given before RSV season begins. Children who develop an RSV infection while receiving Synagis should continue the monthly dosing schedule throughout the season. Synagis has been used in more than one million children in the U.S. since its introduction in 1998.

Very rare cases ((less than)1 per 100,000 patients) of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and rare ((less than)1 per 1,000 patients) hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with Synagis. These rare reactions may occur when any dose of Synagis is given, not just the first one. Also, rare but serious side effects can occur, which may lead to unusual bruising and/or groups of pinpoint red spots found on the skin.

Other side effects with Synagis may include upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection, fever, and runny nose. In children born with heart problems, Synagis was associated with reports of low blood oxygen levels and abnormal heart rhythms. Synagis should not be used in patients with a history of a severe prior reaction to Synagis or its components. Side effects, such as, skin reactions around the area where the shot was given (like redness, swelling, warmth, or discomfort) can also occur.

    <<
    Please see complete prescribing information at www.synagis.com.
    About MedImmune
    >>

MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to patients, new medical options for physicians and rewarding careers to employees. Dedicated to advancing science and medicine to help people live better lives, the company is focused on infection, oncology, respiratory disease and inflammation, cardiovascular/gastrointestinal disease, and neuroscience. With approximately 3,000 employees worldwide and headquarters in Maryland, MedImmune is wholly owned by AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN.L, NYSE: AZN). For more information, visit MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE: MedImmune

Tor Constantino, +1-301-398-8501, or Investors,  Peter Vozzo, +1-301-398-4358, both
of MedImmune Web Site: http://www.medimmune.com, http://www.synagis.com

    MedImmune research scheduled to be presented includes:

    -- Regulation of Lung Inflammation in Animal Models (Poster Session:
       IL-33, the Ligand for T1/ST2, Induces Airway Hyperresponsiveness Via a
       Mast Cell but Not T Cell Dependent Mechanism, publication page A63)
       - Sunday, May 18 from 8:15 a.m.- 4:15 p.m., Metro Toronto Convention
       Centre, Area E.

    -- Viral Infection and Wheezing (Poster Session: Evidence for T-Lymphocyte
       Independent Antibody Responses in Primary RSV Infection, publication
       page A190)-Sunday, May 18 from 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Metro Toronto
       Convention Centre, Area A.

    -- Chitins: Flying High (Symposium: Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation
       in a Murine Model of Asthma, publication page A501)- Monday, May 19 at
       2:45 p.m., Ontario, Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

    -- New Insights and Developing Controversies in Clinical Asthma (Poster
       Session: Safety Profile, Pharmacokinetics and Biologic Activity of a
       Single IV Dose of the Anti IL-5 Receptor Alpha Antibody MEDI-563 in
       Patients with Mild Asthma, publication page A569)-Tuesday, May 20 from
       8:15 a.m.- 11:00 a.m., Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Room 205A.

    -- Eosinophils, Mast Cells and Neutrophils as Modulators of Immunity and
       Injury
      -- Poster Session: In Vitro Characterization of MEDI-563, a Humanized
         Anti-IL-5Ralpha Monoclonal Antibody in Phase1 Clinical Trial,
         publication page A602
      -- Poster Session: MEDI-563, a Humanized Anti-Human IL-5R alpha Antibody
         Binds to Lung Tissue Eosinophils in Asthmatic Patients, publication
         page A602
      -- Poster Session: A Monoclonal Anti-IL-5 Receptor (IL-5R) alpha
         Antibody with Enhanced ADCC Selectively and Efficaciously Depletes
         Tissue Eosinophils in IL-5 Transgenic Mice, publication page A603

The preceding presentations will occur on Tuesday, May 20 from 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Area B.

    -- Monocytes and Macrophages in Inflammation, Immunity and Injury (Poster
       Session: Role for Alveolar Macrophages in Limiting Primary RSV
       Immunopathology, publication page A623) - Tuesday, May 20 from 8:15
       a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Area B.

About MedImmune

MedImmune is wholly owned by AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN.L, NYSE: AZN) and is the worldwide biologics business for the AstraZeneca Group. The company has approximately 3,000 employees worldwide and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. MedImmune strives to provide better medicines to patients, new medical options for physicians and rewarding careers to employees. Dedicated to advancing science and medicine to help people live better lives, the company is focused on infection, oncology, respiratory disease and inflammation, cardiovascular/gastrointestinal disease and neuroscience. For more information, visit MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE MedImmune

http://www.medimmune.com

"This is a highpoint for Pinnacle, as it signifies an additional milestone for our company," said Guillermo Herrera, Chairman of the Board of Pinnacle Biologics.

About Pinnacle Biologics

Founded in 2007 by health care executives Guillermo Herrera, James Miller, and Viren Grover, Pinnacle Biologics is a premier international company that excels in assisting pharmaceutical and biotech companies that require a total solution in either launching products or maximizing/monetizing the value of products late in their life cycle. Pinnacle forms exclusive relationships with research-based pharmaceutical multi-national corporations and biotechnology companies to take products to the next level.

Pinnacle provides a full range of services including regulatory, sales, marketing, distribution (including billing and collections), pharmacovigilence, product safety, market research and administrative services.

Website: http://www.pinnaclebiologics.com

COMPANY CONTACT:
    James R. Miller, Pinnacle
    President & CEO
    +1-240-372-4599

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

James R. Miller, President & CEO of Pinnacle Biologics, +1-240-372-4599

David Brennan, chief executive of AstraZeneca, said: "Under Dave Mott's leadership, the team at MedImmune has built a unique capability to discover, develop and deliver innovative biologic treatments - an important element of AstraZeneca's future strategy.

"We will continue to build on that strong platform, maximising the potential of products in the MedImmune portfolio while delivering innovative new biological medicines and vaccines that treat and prevent disease."

One analyst at a major bank who is familiar with the company said: "The market has clearly been concerned about David Brennan's performance and what would be seen as potentially a strong successor is now out of the frame." ben.deighton@thomsonreuters.com bsd

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