43AI Rolls-r 24

RNS No 4435a
ELAN CORPORATION PLC
21st October 1997



       ELAN ANNOUNCES STEPS TO CONSOLIDATE AND BUILD ITS U.K. AND IRISH       
                          PHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESSES                           

DUBLIN, IRELAND, October 21, 1997 - -  Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN)
("Elan") announced today two transactions designed to establish and
consolidate its direct pharmaceutical business in the U.K. and Ireland.  Elan
announced that it had reached agreement in principle with Warner-Lambert (UK)
Limited ("WL") to acquire the WL interest in both Elan Pharma Ltd. in the U.K.
and Parke-Davis/Elan Ltd. in Ireland.  These two companies, which were each
established as joint ventures between Elan and WL in 1992 and 1987,
respectively, will now become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Elan.

In a separate transaction, Elan also announced that it had reached agreement
with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Limited ("RPR") to acquire Univer (controlled-release
verapamil) and Nifensar (controlled-release nifedipine) for the U.K., and
Nifensar for Ireland. Univer and Nifensar are products for the treatment of
hypertension and angina that utilise Elans proprietary drug delivery
technologies and were originally licensed to RPR by Elan in 1987.

The additional annual product revenue to Elan from these transactions, which
are effective beginning January 1, 1998 (and in the case of Nifensar from
September 30, 1997) is expected to be in excess of $15 million.  Financial
details of the transactions were not disclosed.

"We have enjoyed a very successful partnership with Warner-Lambert over a
number of years in the U.K. and Ireland, which has provided us with the
necessary infrastructure to introduce our products directly into these
important markets," commented John Groom, president and chief operating
officer of Elan.  "We will benefit from the synergy of consolidating the
emerging Athena Neurosciences neurology business, which has recently launched
Zanaflex in the U.K., with the Elan Pharma community-based business to provide
critical mass in the U.K. and Irish markets.  Univer and Nifensar, which will
be marketed by the Elan Pharma sales force, add significantly to our growing
U.K. cardiovascular franchise and we look forward to continuing the successful
marketing of these products initiated by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer."

Alan Walker, Warner-Lamberts U.K./Ireland/Scandinavia Regional President of
Pharmaceuticals and the current managing director of both joint ventures said,
"I am pleased that our joint ventures with Elan have been so successful that
early independence is now sensible and am delighted to have been able to
contribute to the establishment of what, I believe, will become major
companies in the U.K. and Irish markets."

Elan is a leading worldwide drug delivery and biopharmaceutical company, with
its principal research and manufacturing facilities in Ireland, the United
States and Israel.  Elans shares trade on the New York, London and Dublin
Stock Exchanges.

The statements made in this press release may include forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, the success of
consolidating these businesses, the degree of market acceptance and pricing,
and the impact of competitive products, as well as the other risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in periodic reports including Elans
reports on Form 6-K and Form 20-F for the period ended December 31, 1996 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Actual results may differ from
the forward-looking statements.


Contact:
Mary Bingham
Director - Investor Relations
Ph:  212-755-3218


END

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