AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc. Form Pioneering Collaboration to Investigate Novel Combination Anticancer Regimen

LONDON & WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc. today announced a collaboration to research a
novel combination anticancer regimen composed of two investigational compounds,
MK-2206 from Merck and AZD6244 (ARRY-886*) from AstraZeneca.

Preclinical evidence indicates that combined administration of these compounds
could enhance their anticancer properties. This is the first time that two large
pharmaceutical companies have established a collaboration to evaluate the
potential for combining candidate molecules at such an early stage of
development. The collaboration will more quickly advance a potentially promising
anticancer treatment. In general, such combinations would only be studied when
one or both of the drugs has entered late-stage development or received
marketing approval.

Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca and Merck will work together to
evaluate co-administration of the compounds in a Phase I clinical trial for the
treatment of solid cancer tumors. All development costs will be shared jointly.
Following the Phase I trial, the companies will consider opportunities for
further clinical development.

Each candidate is designed to inhibit a protein known to be abnormally activated
in human cancers. In preclinical studies, AZD6244 has been shown to affect MEK
(Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1), an important signal that promotes cancer
cell growth and survival. AZD6244 has completed Phase I evaluation,
demonstrating proof of mechanism, and several Phase II monotherapy studies,
which showed evidence of clinical activity. It is currently in Phase II clinical
trials in a range of tumor types. Merck`s MK-2206 has demonstrated an effect on
AKT (a component of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathway), an important
signal promoting cancer cell survival. Phase I clinical data on MK-2206 were
presented this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

"There is strong scientific rationale to suggest that the potential benefit to
cancer patients of this combination may far exceed the sum of the parts," said
Gary Gilliland, senior vice president and franchise head Oncology, Merck
Research Laboratories. "In order to harness the true potential of the combined
administration of the compounds, AstraZeneca and Merck have established a
pioneering, early stage collaboration based on our mutual determination to
develop impactful therapies that improve patients` lives."

"This collaboration brings together two leading companies with a wealth of
expertise in oncology," said Alan Barge, vice president and head of Oncology at
AstraZeneca. "Through this agreement we are well positioned to implement a
detailed and timely evaluation of the therapeutic potential of this novel
combination, with the aim of bringing this potentially effective regimen to
patients as rapidly as possible."

Exploring Two Anticancer Agents with Two Distinct Targets

Advances in cancer research have led to a new generation of drugs designed to
precisely target features specific to cancer cells while minimizing the effect
on healthy cells. Several of these drugs provide patient benefit as monotherapy,
but increasingly the ability of cancer cells to adapt and develop resistance has
become apparent. Research suggests that combination therapies that include drugs
with different mechanisms of action impacting cancer cells in multiple ways may
provide an improved anticancer benefit and decrease the risk of relapse.

Molecular profiling of human solid tumors has shown that both the MEK and AKT
pathways are frequently abnormally activated. Preclinical studies have suggested
that simultaneously inhibiting both of these pathways may have synergistic
effects on tumor cell growth.

Usually, combinations of novel anticancer agents would only be studied in
clinical trials when one component of the regimen is at a late stage of
development or when one compound has received marketing approval. This agreement
is pioneering in that two major pharmaceutical companies, each with one
component of the combination regimen in its pipeline, are collaborating at an
early stage in development, so that effective treatments may be brought to
patients as rapidly as possible.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated
to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers,
develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet
medical needs. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to
medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but
help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased
health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit
http://www.merck.com.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the
research, development, manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription
medicines and supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the
world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US$ 31.6
billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience,
respiratory, oncology and infectious disease medicines. For more information
about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca.com.

Merck Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties,
which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the
statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding
product development, product potential or financial performance. No
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ
materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release
should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's
business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary
statements in Item 1A of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008,
and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company
incorporates by reference.

* AstraZeneca acquired exclusive worldwide rights to AZD6244 (ARRY-886) from
Array Biopharma Inc. in December 2003.

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Merck & Co., Inc.
Ian R. McConnell, 973-901-5722
or
Investors:
Eva Boratto, 908-423-5185
or
AstraZeneca
Media:
Chris Sampson, +44 20 7304 5130
or
Investors:
Karl Hard, +44 20 7304 5322

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