AstraZeneca and Nektar Sign Worldwide Agreement for Nektar Drug Development Programmes -- NKTR-118 and NKTR-119 -- to Address Opioid-Induced Co...(pThe agreement is subject to review by t...)

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Opioid Induced Constipation

It is estimated that for those patients who take opiates chronically for pain management, anywhere from 40-90% of such patients will develop constipation. Less than half of those patients find effective relief from current treatment options that include prescription and over-the-counter laxatives and stool softeners. These symptoms of bowel dysfunction are a result of the drug binding to the mu-opioid receptor in the gut(1). Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction encompasses symptoms such as constipation, bloating, abdominal cramping, and gastroesophageal reflux. Constipation is the hallmark of this syndrome and is generally its most prominent component.

According to IMS Health, about 230 million prescriptions were written for opioids in 2007 in the United States alone. This is estimated to represent about 65-75% of the worldwide opioid market. Currently, there are no oral drugs approved that are indicated to treat opioid-induced constipation. Opioid bowel dysfunction and opioid-induced constipation can significantly impact quality of life and increase healthcare utilisation.

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:
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