Cholesterol boost for AstraZeneca.

Investors Chronicle, June, 2006

AstraZeneca's drug Crestor has produced the biggest reduction in bad cholesterol ever seen in a trial of 'statin' drugs, when used in combination with Merck's cholesterol absorption inhibitor Zetia. Data presented at a conference this week showed that the combination of products reduced cholesterol by 70 per cent over six weeks.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley believe that Crestor, used in combination with a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, could eventually become a new gold standard treatment.

While good news for AstraZeneca, concerns about the pipeline and future patent expiries means that, at 3,120p, our sell recommendation stands (2,888p, 9 June 2006).