Proposed Merger, etc

AstraZeneca PLC
21 March 2000


EU REVIEW OF SYNGENTA TRANSACTION EXTENDED:
COMPLETION IN SECOND HALF 2000 STILL ANTICIPATED

AstraZeneca PLC today confirmed that the European Commission has initiated a
Second Phase Investigation into the proposed spin off and merger of its
agrochemicals business with Novartis' crop protection and seeds business.

The fixed four month second phase review period will expire in August 2000. 
The parties' expected completion of the transaction in the second half of 2000
remains unchanged.  

A second phase review was anticipated by the parties when the filing was made
with the European Commission and is not unusual for a transaction of this
scale.  The parties continue to work closely with the Commission in their
review.

Further enquiries to:

Media Relations

Steve Brown,       Tel: [phone]
Lucy Williams,     Tel: [phone]
Mikael Widell,     Tel: [phone]/
                        [phone]