<div><p>GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - AstraZeneca won a U.S. panel's support on Tuesday for its bid to promote the cholesterol-lowering pill Crestor to people with healthy cholesterol levels but have other risks of heart disease.</p><p>The endorsement moves the company closer to winning U.S. approval to sell Crestor in a vast new market with potentially millions of new patients.</p><p>A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted 12-4 that Crestor's benefits offset risks in certain people who would not be given a statin cholesterol drug under current guidelines. One panelist abstained.</p><p>The panel reviewed data from an AstraZeneca study called Jupiter. That trial showed Crestor cut deaths, heart attacks and strokes in middle-aged people with healthy cholesterol but elevated levels of C-reactive protein, which is associated with heart disease.</p><p>The FDA will make the final decision but usually follows panel recommendations.</p><p>AstraZeneca shares rose 0.7 percent to $46.10 on the New York Stock Exchange.</p><p>(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Richard Chang)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=65490038&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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