MedImmune Expands Access for Eligible Premature Infants to Receive Synagis(R) at...

MedImmune Expands Access for Eligible Premature Infants to Receive Synagis(R)
at No Cost

Company Increases Eligibility to Its Patient Assistance Program to 400 Percent
of Federal Poverty; as Many as 75 Percent of U.S. Households May Now Qualify
for This Program

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- MedImmune today announced the
expansion of the MedImmune Assistance Program for Synagis(R) (palivizumab)
designed to provide the antibody at no cost to qualifying patients who lack
health insurance and whose family household income falls within a certain
range of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines established by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Synagis is a biologic medicine
known as a monoclonal antibody administered monthly to high-risk infants to
prevent serious lower respiratory tract infection caused by respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of viral respiratory infection among
infants.

Effective July 1, 2009, patients with household income up to 400 percent of
the FPL (e.g. a household of four with an income up to $88,200), and without
healthcare coverage or medical insurance, may be eligible to receive Synagis
at no cost. This marks a significant expansion over the program's previous
eligibility ceiling of 250 percent of the FPL (e.g. $55,125 for that same
four-member household).

"MedImmune recognizes the rising cost of healthcare and the burden those
expenses can have on working families who lack insurance through no fault of
their own," said Tony Zook, MedImmune President. "This expansion of the
MedImmune Assistance Program makes it possible for as many as 75 percent of
U.S. households without health insurance and with eligible infants to apply to
receive the established preventive benefits of Synagis as prescribed by their
doctor at no cost to the family."

The MedImmune Assistance Program is administered as part of the Synagis
Reimbursement Hotline and can be reached by calling 1-877-778-9010. A health
care provider can review the patient's eligibility with a program specialist.

In addition, MedImmune supports The Patient Access Network Foundation (PANF),
which is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
supporting the needs of insured patients who cannot afford the treatments they
need due to out-of-pocket health care costs. More information about the help
that's available for RSV prevention and treatment can be found by visiting
www.patientaccessnetwork.org.

About Synagis
Synagis(R) (palivizumab) is a prescription medication that is used to help
prevent a serious lung disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in
children at high risk. Synagis is given as a shot, usually in the thigh
muscle, each month during the RSV season. Children who develop an RSV
infection while receiving Synagis should continue the monthly dosing schedule
throughout the season.

Synagis should not be used in patients with a history of a severe allergic
reaction to Synagis or its ingredients. Cases of severe allergic reactions
such as anaphylaxis and other types of hypersensitivity reactions have been
reported with Synagis. These reactions may occur when any dose of Synagis is
given, not just the first one. Very low platelet counts may occur, which may
lead to unusual bruising and/or groups of pinpoint red spots found on the
skin.

Common side effects may include fever, cold-like symptoms (upper respiratory
infection) including runny nose and ear infection, and rash. Other possible
side effects include skin reactions around the area where the shot was given
(like redness, swelling, warmth or discomfort). In children born with certain
types of heart disease, other possible side effects include bluish color of
the skin, lips or under fingernails and abnormal heart rhythms. These are not
all the possible side effects of Synagis.

About RSV
Each year, up to 125,000 infants in the United States are hospitalized with
severe RSV infections, the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections
in U.S. infants. RSV is the most common respiratory infection in infancy or
childhood. Approximately one-half of all infants are infected with RSV during
the first year of life, and nearly all children have been infected at least
once by the time they reach their second birthday. Children born prematurely
as well as those with chronic lung disease (CLD) or congenital heart disease
(CHD) are at highest risk for severe disease and hospitalization due to RSV.
The virus may also cause severe illness in other high-risk groups.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that RSV
accounts for one of every 13 visits to a pediatrician, one of every 38
emergency room trips, and inpatient hospital stays for one out of every 334
children.

About MedImmune
MedImmune, the worldwide biologics business for AstraZeneca PLC (LSE: AZN.L,
NYSE: AZN), has approximately 3,100 employees worldwide and is headquartered
in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With an advancing pipeline of promising candidates,
we aim to be the next revolutionary force in biotechnology by delivering
life-changing products, industry-leading performance, and a tireless
commitment to improving patient health. For more information, visit
MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE MedImmune

Tor Constantino of MedImmune, +1-301-398-5801, constantinos@medimmune.com