Elan Corporation has entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) under which Elan will supplement Lilly's manufacture of duloxetine hydrochloride capsules beginning in mid-2005.
Mr Kelly Martin, Elan's President and CEO, said: "This agreement represents a significant milestone for Elan as it is our first large-scale manufacturing agreement with a leading pharmaceutical company.
"It represents a further specific example of our commitment to remain focused on execution and deliver results and value to the marketplace," he said.
The capsule form of duloxetine will be manufactured in Elan's Athlone facility.
In 2003, Elan completed a $178 million expansion of the Athlone site. The campus now houses a 138,000-square-foot current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) manufacturing facility.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.