


In January 1997, Acorda entered into another licensing agreement, this one with Elan, to develop fampridine-SR for treatment of spinal cord injury. Immediately, Acorda obtained the rights to develop fampridine for therapeutic use in spinal cord injury from the Canadian Spinal Research Organization (CSRO). to develop therapeutic products for spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. Ron Cohen founded Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. Elan also sponsored clinical research at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (1990-97) as well as the very first clinical trials of Fampridine-SR in multiple sclerosis. In 19, Elan obtained the patents to the sustained-released technology for Fampridine-SR (slow-release fampridine/4-aminopyridine) which had been developed by Joseph Masterson and Michael Myers.
ELAN AMAYA TRIAL
Research continued in Amsterdam (1990-1996) where several clinical studies were conducted including the first large trials of 4-AP in MS looking at its broad effects on disability (EDSS) and long-term safety and efficacy (during one trial two patients had seizures and one developed hepatitis). In 1990, Elan Corporation obtained the Know-How related to fampridine (4-aminopyridine) for symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis from Rush-Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago.

Three small clinical trials performed at Rush Multiple Sclerosis Medical Center in Chicago were published between 1987-1991 in which researchers observed clinical benefits while also comparing oral vs. Research in Chicago (1974-1991) focused on the use of 4-AP in treatment of MS symptoms. Early research from Yale and Brown Universities (1977-1994) include several studies of demyelination and aminopyridine in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. The first clinical study of 4-AP and visual function in MS was published in 1983. Many years of research have gone into the development of this amazing drug, which finally made its way into the market in March 2010 after it's FDA approval on January 22, 2010.Įarly research out of London (1969-1983) included published papers related to conduction, demyelination, ion channels, 4-AP and multiple sclerosis. Amprya is a new drug that is said to improve mobility for those suffering from multiple sclerosis.
