Re Alliance

AstraZeneca PLC
26 October 2000



    ASTRAZENECA TO OUTSOURCE GLOBAL IT INFRASTRUCTURE
                     SERVICES TO IBM
                            
AstraZeneca today announced that it has identified IBM as
its preferred supplier of global Information Technology
(IT) infrastructure services.  This is subject to
signature of a contract, the key terms of which have
already been established in principle with IBM.  A
further announcement will be made once a contract has
been signed.

Some 1200 people worldwide (AstraZeneca employees and
contract staff) are currently engaged in the provision of
IT infrastructure services to AstraZeneca.  All 'in-
scope' AstraZeneca employees will be offered employment
by IBM and detailed consultations are commencing with
employees and their representatives.

Jon Symonds, Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca,
said, 'This partnership will enable AZ to sharpen the
focus of its Information Services (IS) capabilities on to
the strategic opportunities such as e-business and
informatics in R&D, and further encourage added value
from IS activities.  Once finalised, the partnership will
give AZ enhanced technical power and provide better
opportunities for personal development for these IT
professionals, as well as significant cost savings.'

Frank Kern, General Manager, Professional Services, IBM
Global Services, said, 'We are extremely pleased to have 
been selected by AstraZeneca as the preferred supplier to 
outsource their IT infrastructure on a global basis.
AstraZeneca is a leading pharmaceutical company, with
extensive research capabilities, operating around the globe.  
We recognise the critical importance of a robust IT 
infrastructure to support their business, and how
this partnership can help AstraZeneca focus on strategic
IS opportunities.'

                                               
                          - 2 -

ABOUT ASTRAZENECA

AZ is a major international healthcare business engaged
in the research, development, manufacture and marketing
of ethical (prescription) pharmaceuticals and the supply
of healthcare services.  It is one of the top five
pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare
sales of over $15 billion and leading positions in sales
of gastrointestinal, oncology, anaesthesia including pain
management, cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS)
and respiratory products.

ABOUT IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology
company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses 
innovate.  IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions 
and technologies that enable companies to take full
advantage of the new era of e-business.  IBM Global
Services is the world's largest information technology 
services provider, with 1999 revenues of more than $32 billion.

Services is the fastest growing part of IBM, with more
than 138,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries.  
IBM Global Services integrates IBM's broad range of 
capabilities - services, hardware, software and research - 
to help companies of all sizes realise the full value of 
information technology. For more information on IBM, visit 
www.ibm.com.

                      
October 26, 2000

For further information:

Michael Olsson:                  Tel. [phone]
Ed Seage:                        Tel  [phone]
Jorgen Winroth:                  Tel. [phone]