Elan Corporation, plc and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (Mayo) have entered into an agreement related to each party's Alzheimer's disease research efforts. The agreement resolves a patent dispute regarding certain transgenic mice patents and facilitates use by both parties of an array of research tools in combating the disease.

The Elan patents that were the subject of the dispute - which are acknowledged as valid and enforceable under the agreement - cover transgenic mice that express the human gene known as the Swedish mutation of the amyloid precurser protein. These mice serve an important function in the study of Alzheimer's disease and the development of drugs aimed at curing the disease.

The resolution of this dispute provides Mayo and Elan with cross-licenses necessary to pursue their respective ongoing Alzheimer's research and development efforts, and includes the ability for Mayo to conduct research with third parties under this portfolio. Both entities remain committed to changing the course of Alzheimer's disease through these efforts and by making their patents available for licensing, Elan said in a release.