Elan Corporation PLC - Alliance Agreement

RNS No 1041a
ELAN CORPORATION PLC
8th July 1997


DUPONT MERCK AND ELAN ESTABLISH PARKINSON'S DISEASE ALLIANCE

WILMINGTON, DE/DUBLIN, IRELAND, July 8, 1997 - - The DuPont Merck 
Pharmaceutical Company (DuPont Merck) and Elan Corporation, plc 
(Elan) (NYSE: ELN) announced today their alliance to co-promote in 
the United States their respective leading Parkinson's disease 
products, Sinemet CR (carbidopa-levodopa sustained release) and 
Permax (pergolide mesylate).  The alliance will be implemented by 
the sales force of Elan's wholly-owned subsidiary, Athena 
Neurosciences, Inc (Athena) and DuPont Merck.

The purpose of this alliance is to consolidate and clarify 
therapeutic messages given to physicians, said Nick Teti, president 
worldwide pharmaceuticals for DuPont Merck.  We hope to be able to 
impact the quality of life for Parkinson's patients and to seek 
better patient outcomes.  Sinemet CR is the carbidopa-levodopa 
product most prescribed by neurologists in the treatment of 
Parkinson's disease.  Permax is the leading dopamine agonist 
prescribed by neurologists as adjunctive therapy.

Michael D. Coffee, president and chief operating officer of Athena, 
commented, DuPont Merck's and Athena's combined ability to 
communicate the wealth of experience with Sinemet CR and Permax will 
be significantly enhanced through this alliance.  Coordinating our 
efforts in support of these products will serve to raise awareness 
for Parkinson's disease and facilitate its treatment.

Through their alliance, DuPont Merck and Athena intend to 
concentrate on providing optimal treatment strategies, educational 
programs and ongoing research that can enhance the lives of people 
coping with Parkinson's disease.  The two companies are establishing 
a series of professional and patient programs under the title of 
Resources for Action and Living (R.E.A.L.).  These informative 
programs are intended to educate physicians, patients and caregivers 
about Parkinson's disease symptoms and treatments.

More than one million people in the United States suffer from 
Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that 
affects muscle control and movement, negatively impacting a number 
of activities of daily living.  The disease is believed to be caused 
by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the brain.

The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company is a worldwide, research-
based pharmaceutical company.  Formed in 1991 as a partnership 
between DuPont and Merck & Co., Inc., DuPont Merck is focused on 
research, development and delivery of pharmaceuticals to treat unmet 
medical needs in the fight against heart disease, central nervous 
system disorders, cancer, HIV and arthritis-related disorders.  
DuPont Merck markets its products under the DuPont Pharma name.  The 
company is also a leader in radiopharmaceuticals.  Company 
headquarters are in Wilmington, Delaware.

Elan is a leading worldwide drug delivery and biopharmaceutical 
company with its principal research and manufacturing facilities in 
Ireland, the United States and Israel. Elan's shares trade on the 
New York, London and Dublin Stock Exchanges.

The statements made in this press release may contain forward-
looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, 
including, without limitation, the continuing degree of market 
acceptance of Permax and Sinemet CR, the impact of competitive 
products, third party reimbursement risks associated with the 
pharmaceutical industry and other risks and uncertainties detailed 
from time to time in periodic reports filed by Elan, including its 
annual report on Form 20-F.

For further information contact:

Susan Pritchard
Public Affairs, DuPont Merck
Ph: 302-892-7855

Eric J. Liebler
Director, External Relations, Athena 
Ph: 415-877-7662

Mary Bingham
Director, Investor Relations, Elan 
Ph: 212-755-3218

END
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