- MYOBLOC is the First New Botulinum Toxin Therapy in Over a Decade -

    PHILADELPHIA, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Elan Pharmaceuticals announced today
that it is investigating the potential use of MYOBLOC(TM) (Botulinum Toxin
Type B) Injectable Solution in a variety of spasticity, pain and dermatologic
applications.
    The clinical benefits of botulinum toxin therapy in the treatment of
various clinical disorders characterized by muscle hyperactivity, such as
spasticity, was established more than 10 years ago by the National Institutes
of Health.  The potential market for the applications under investigation by
Elan is considerable.
    "The use of botulinum toxin has become an enormously popular form of
therapy for a variety of applications, said Leslie Baumann, MD, University of
Miami Cosmetic Center, Cedars Medical Center.  "MYOBLOC is an exciting new
treatment option that doesn't need to be reconstituted nor kept frozen, an
important consideration in administering botulinum toxin therapy."

    MYOBLOC for the Treatment of Cervical Dystonia
    MYOBLOC was recently approved for the treatment of cervical dystonia.  It
is the first new botulinum toxin therapy in a decade, and the only botulinum
toxin formulated as a ready-to-use solution.
    Type B is an antigenically distinct serotype from botulinum toxin type A
(Botox) and was FDA approved last December for the symptomatic treatment of
patients with cervical dystonia to reduce the severity of abnormal head
position and neck pain associated with the disorder.  MYOBLOC works by
preventing the release of acetylcholine from the nerve ending to the
overactive muscle.  Involuntarily muscle contractions can cause pain,
tightness and spasms. "Clinical studies have demonstrated that MYOBLOC is a
highly potent and long lasting botulinum toxin therapy and we are excited
about evaluating type B's safety and efficacy in a variety of conditions,"
said Christopher O'Brien, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Elan.
"Additionally, because of the advanced manufacturing technique employed in
producing the drug, the result is a toxin that is consistent, pure and
stable."
    MYOBLOC is available in three convenient vial configurations of
2,500 units, 5,000 units and 10,000 units, all at the same concentration
providing maximum flexibility for dosing.
    MYOBLOC is generally safe and well tolerated.  The most frequently
reported adverse events associated with MYOBLOC treatment were dry mouth,
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dyspepsia (upset stomach), and injection
site pain.  These side effects are generally mild to moderate, temporary,
clear up on their own, and more common with higher doses.  If patients
experience any side effects during treatment with MYOBLOC, they should contact
their physician.
    Caution should be exercised when administering MYOBLOC to individuals with
motor neuron diseases (e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or neuromuscular
junctional disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome).
Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically
significant systemic effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory
compromise from typical doses of MYOBLOC.
    Elan Pharmaceuticals is a division of Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN).
Elan is a leading worldwide fully integrated pharmaceutical company
headquartered in Ireland, with its principal research, development,
manufacturing and marketing facilities located in Ireland, the United States
and Israel.  Elan is focused on the discovery, development and marketing of
therapeutic products and services in neurology, pain management, oncology,
infectious disease and dermatology and on the development and
commercialization of products using its extensive range of proprietary drug
delivery technologies.  Elan shares trade on the New York, London and Dublin
Stock Exchanges.

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