Eisai acquires Elan’s Zonegran
Executive Summary
Eisai acquires Elan anti-epilepsy agent Zonegran (zonisamide) for $130 mil., plus up to $110 mil. in milestone payments. Eisai also will hire 100 of Elan's sales reps to market the product. Acquisition is part of Eisai's strategy to grow its neurological franchise and its presence in the U.S. Elan's divestiture is one of several used to raise cash ahead of key launches, including Antegren for multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease in 2005 (1"The Pink Sheet" Feb. 23, 2004, p. 25)...