Elan Corporation plc has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market two new lower dosage strengths, 25 mg and 50 mg, of Zonegran (zonisamide) in addition to the original 100 mg capsule. Zonegran is indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy. The 25 mg and 50 mg capsules of Zonegran will be manufactured by Elan at its recently completed strategic Manufacturing, Global Services and Operations facility, based in Athlone, Ireland. Manufacture of the 100 mg has recently being transferred to the Athlone facility from the previous third-party contract manufacturer. Elan expects to launch the new dosage strengths in the fourth quarter of 2003.

"The FDA approval of the 25 mg and 50 mg doses of Zonegran enhances the position of Zonegran in the epilepsy market," said Lars Ekman, Executive Vice President and President, Research and Development at Elan. "With the availability of 25 mg and 50 mg strengths, physicians now have the benefit of more flexible dosing options to better manage patients and achieve effective seizure control."

Epilepsy is estimated to affect over two million people in the United States. There is no known cure for epilepsy, but medication, including antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) such as Zonegran, controls seizures in many people. Zonegran is well tolerated and the side effects are generally mild to moderate and dose related. The most common side effects associated with Zonegran include somnolence (sleepiness), dizziness, anorexia, headache, nausea and agitation/irritability. Few drug-to-drug interactions are likely with Zonegran.

Zonegran was developed in Japan and in the United States by Dainippon Pharmaceuticals Company Limited (Dainippon) of Osaka, Japan. Elan licensed the sales and marketing rights for Zonegran from Dainippon for North America and Europe. Elan expects to file a European Marketing Authorisation Application for Zonegran for use as adjunctive therapy in partial seizures in epilepsy by the end of this year.

Elan is focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, selling and marketing of novel therapeutic products in neurology, pain management and autoimmune diseases. Elan shares trade on the New York, London and Dublin Stock Exchanges.