Acorda Therapeutics(R) Partners with Cardinal Health to Expand Sales Force for Zanaflex Capsules(TM); 160 Contract Sales Representatives Will Target Primary Care Market.HAWTHORNE, N.Y. -- Acorda Therapeutics announced today that it has entered into an agreement with the Contract Sales and Services business of Cardinal Health (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : CAH CAH congenital adrenal hyperplasia. CAH Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, see there ) Pharmaceutical Technologies and Services segment to expand the sales force for Acorda's Zanaflex Capsules(TM) (tizanidine hydrochloride) with approximately 160 contract sales representatives to address the primary care market. The additional sales representatives will target approximately 4,000 primary care physicians. The primary care team will join Acorda's 14-person, in-house specialty sales force, which is focused on the neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation physical medicine and rehabilitation or physiatry or physical therapy or rehabilitation medicine Medical specialty treating chronic disabilities through physical means to help patients return to a comfortable, productive life despite a medical markets. The combined sales and marketing infrastructure will be able to reach virtually all the potential high-volume prescribers of Zanaflex Capsules. The two-year, performance-based agreement will provide Acorda with access to experienced sales professionals who will make dedicated physician visits on behalf of Zanaflex Capsules. Compensation is based on the achievement of performance objectives. Financial terms were not disclosed. "We are delighted to have been selected by Acorda Therapeutics for this important initiative. The immediate addition of this sales force to promote Zanaflex Capsules will enable national coverage on an important segment of the market currently not covered by Acorda's sales force," said Thomas Dimke, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cardinal Health Contract Sales and Services. Acorda acquired all US sales, marketing and distribution rights to Zanaflex Capsules and Zanaflex tablets from Elan Corporation, plc in July 2004. Zanaflex Capsules are a new, capsule formulation of tizanidine. Elan continues to manufacture Zanaflex Capsules for Acorda at its Athlone, Ireland facility. Zanaflex(R) is a registered trademark of Elan. Zanaflex Capsules(TM) is a trademark of Elan, for which registration is pending. Both trademarks are exclusively licensed to Acorda. For full prescribing information, please go to www.zanaflexcapsules.com. About Elan Elan Corporation plc (NYSE: ELN Noun 1. ELN - a Marxist terrorist group formed in 1963 by Colombian intellectuals who were inspired by the Cuban Revolution; responsible for a campaign of mass kidnappings and resistance to the government's efforts to stop the drug trade; "ELN kidnappers target ) manufactures Zanaflex Capsules(TM) at its Elan Drug Technologies facility in Athlone, Ireland, using its proprietary SODAS(R) (Spheroid spheroid /sphe·roid/ (sfer´oid) a spherelike body. spher·oid or sphe·roi·dal adj. Having a generally spherical shape. Oral Drug Absorption System) multiparticulate drug delivery technology. The Athlone campus, an FDA/European Medicines Agency-approved site, comprises of 421,000 square feet under roof, of which 138,000 square feet has dedicated, fully-equipped current good manufacturing practices ("cGMP") manufacturing capacity. Elan packages Zanaflex Capsules(TM) at its FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approved manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Georgia. About Acorda Therapeutics Acorda Therapeutics, a privately-held biotechnology company, is developing therapies for multiple sclerosis Although there is no known definitive cure, several therapies for multiple sclerosis have proven to be helpful. Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). , spinal cord injury Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. and other disorders of the nervous system. Acorda's lead clinical-stage product is Fampridine-SR, which is in a Phase 3 clinical trial phase 3 clinical trial Phase 3 study. See Phase study. for MS. The Company's pipeline includes a number of products in development for the treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord. |
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