European Approval Recommended For Elan's NeuroBloc(R); First New Cervical Dystonia Treatment in Over a Decade

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European Approval Recommended For Elan's NeuroBloc(R); First New Cervical Dystonia Treatment in Over a Decade

    DUBLIN, Ireland, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN)
("Elan") today announced that the European Union's Committee for Proprietary
Medicinal Products ("CPMP") has recommended approval for NeuroBloc(R), Elan's
botulinum toxin type B, for the treatment of cervical dystonia ("CD").
NeuroBloc is the first type B toxin to be recommended for approval for any
clinical indication.  Elan plans to market NeuroBloc in the United States
under the trade name of Myobloc(TM).
    NeuroBloc has a novel mode of action, acting at a different site to
botulinum toxin type A toxin, to produce neuromuscular blockade by inhibition
of acetylcholine release.  Clinical studies have shown that NeuroBloc is
effective and safe for the treatment of patients with CD, a painful
neuromuscular condition affecting neck and shoulder muscles that can have a
severe impact on a patient's quality of life.  Treatment of CD is the first
approved clinical indication for NeuroBloc.
    In several studies, including the two largest placebo-controlled studies
in patients with CD conducted to date, NeuroBloc was shown to provide relief
from both the pain and disability of CD.  NeuroBloc was highly effective both
in patients responsive and those no longer responsive to botulinum toxin type
A.  The median duration of effect was estimated to be 12 to 16 weeks for both
patient populations. NeuroBloc is therefore expected to provide the benefits
of cost effectiveness and clinical efficacy for both health care providers and
patients.
    Donal J. Geaney, chairman and chief executive officer of Elan, said "We
are delighted that the CPMP have recommended NeuroBloc for approval and we now
plan, subject to the completion of the remaining formalities, to commence
marketing in several European countries in the first quarter of next year.
NeuroBloc represents the first advance in the treatment of cervical dystonia
in over a decade and addresses a number of problems associated with existing
medications."
    Elan is a leading worldwide specialty pharmaceutical and drug delivery
company headquartered in Ireland, with its principal research and 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 and oncology,
and on the development and commercialization of products using its extensive
range of proprietary drug delivery technologies. Elan's shares trade on the
New York, London and Dublin Stock Exchanges.

    Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including,
without limitation, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of
pharmaceutical research, product development and commercialisation, and the
impact of competitive products and patents, as well as other risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in periodic reports, including Elan's
Annual Report for 1999 on Form 20-F as filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.  The company assumes no obligation to update information
on its expectations.

SOURCE Elan Corporation, plc

http://www.elan.ie
CONTACT:
Investors - U.S. - Jack Howarth, or Mary
Ansaldi, 212-407-5740, or 800-252-3526, or Investors - Europe -
Emer Reynolds, 353-1-709-4000, or 00800-28352600, or Media - Max
Gershenoff, 212-407-5740, or 800-252-3526, all of Elan