43AI Rolls-r 24

RNS No 6760v
ELAN CORPORATION PLC
15th December 1997

          ELAN TO ACQUIRE SANO CORPORATION IN ALL-STOCK TRANSACTION           
                                                                              
             Significantly Enhances Elans Drug Delivery Business              
                           and Pipeline of Products                           
                                                                              
     Sano to Become Independent Unit of Elan Pharmaceutical Technologies      

DUBLIN, IRELAND/MIRAMAR, FLORIDA, December 15, 1997 - Elan Corporation plc
(NYSE: ELN) ("Elan"), a leading drug delivery and biopharmaceutical company,
and Sano Corporation (NASDAQ: SANO) ("Sano"), a developer of proprietary
transdermal drug delivery systems, announced that they have entered into a
definitive agreement for Elan to acquire Sano in a tax-free all-stock
transaction which values Sano at $35.50 per share, or approximately $375
million, based on Elans closing price of $53.63 on December 12, 1997.

Under the terms of the agreement unanimously approved by the boards of
directors of both companies, each common share of Sano will be exchanged for
0.655 of an Elan ADS, subject to certain agreed-upon adjustments.  The
transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of Sano, expiration of
the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust review period, and other customary conditions.
 Elan will use purchase accounting for the transaction, which is expected to
close in the first quarter of 1998.  After a one-time charge for the write-off
of in-process research and development, the transaction is expected to be
earnings neutral to Elan in 1998.

Donal J. Geaney, chairman and chief executive officer of Elan, commented, "The
acquisition of Sano significantly advances our goal of being the leading
provider of drug delivery technology.  In particular, the transaction will
broaden our technology platform, extend our client base and add a range of
important late-stage development products to our pipeline.  It will also
accelerate the evolution of our direct pharmaceutical business by providing an
additional source of new products."

Mr Geaney added, "I am delighted to welcome the Sano management and staff to
Elan.  Marc Watson, Reginald Hardy and the employees of Sano have built a fine
business and I believe Sanos people, technologies and products will make a
significant contribution to the future growth of Elan."

Marc M. Watson, chairman of Sano, said, "We are extremely pleased to be
advancing the future of our company with Elan.  In this combination, Sano will
have access to broader opportunities for introducing and marketing our
products worldwide, and greater resources with which to accelerate the
development of our pipeline.  This merger will allow Sano shareholders to
continue to benefit in the upside potential of our pipeline as products reach
commercialization, as well as benefit from owning Elan, a company that has
demonstrated an excellent track record in building shareholder value."

Sano will operate as a business unit of Elan Pharmaceutical Technologies,
Elans drug delivery division.  Reginald L. Hardy will continue as president
and chief operating officer of Sano.  Other Sano senior management are
expected to continue their current responsibilities.  Sano will remain based
in Miramar, Florida and no staff reductions are anticipated.

Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisor to Elan.  Vector Securities
International, Inc. acted as financial advisor to Sano.

Sano develops proprietary and generic products through the use of the companys
proprietary delivery systems, with an emphasis on transdermal technology. 
Sano received FDA clearance for one generic transdermal product in 1997 and
has a portfolio of 15 proprietary and generic products in various stages of
development.  Among the proprietary products are transdermal buspirone for
anxiety and attention deficit disorder (ADHD), both in Phase III, which will
be marketed, upon regulatory approval, by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and a novel
transdermal formulation of nicotine and mecamylamine for smoking cessation,
also in Phase III.

As of September 30, 1997 Sano had net assets of $32.8 million and for the 12
month period ended September 30, 1997, Sano reported a net loss before
taxation of $(16.8) million.

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 contain forward-looking
statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  In addition to
the matters described in this press release, the success of integration of
operations, the degree of dilution, the success of product approvals and
marketing opportunities for each companys products, and the success in
discovery research as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time
to time in SEC reports filed by Elan and Sano may affect the actual results
achieved by Elan and Sano.  Elan and Sano disclaim any intent or obligation to
update these forward looking statements.

Contact:

Elan Corporation, plc               Sano Corporation
Mary Bingham                        Marcia A. Kean
Director-Investor Relations         Feinstein Kean Partners Inc
Ph:  212-755-3218                   Ph:  617-577-8110


END

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