It is
manufactured by Chiron and sold in the United States by Berlex. The winning stories and solutions,
posted on www.com and either enter their own
idea or send a customized e-mail to someone else who they believe
should be a candidate because of their creative and innovative
approaches to coping with MS. For product labeling, press releases and additional
information about the company, please visit http://www.

spite sclerosis

"The differences between the original treatments groups in the preliminary
data warrant further investigation.
"Betaseron has been an important part of my practice for treating MS
patients since it was approved in 1993. Patients were placed in one of three
study arms, Betaseron 50 mcg, Betaseron 250 mcg or placebo, with a median
duration of 45-48 months.

Second Annual MS Leaders of Hope Awards to Recognize Resolve and Innovation in People Living With MS

As a
result, we hope to inform an even greater number of individuals both
in the MS community and the public at large about versatile and
imaginative ways individuals impacted with MS improve their lives and
the lives of others," said Joyce Nelson, president and chief executive
officer of the National MS Society.
"We are pleased to be involved with the MS Leaders of Hope awards
again and look forward to recognizing some exceptional individuals
later this year. We are committed to making a difference in the
lives of patients and their families by dedicating ourselves to
bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet medical
needs that continue to exist around the world.

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Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely. (See "Warnings,"
"Precautions ," and "Adverse Reactions" sections of Prescribing Information). For nearly a decade Biogen Idec has worked closely
with the MS community, and we have been touched by the determination
and courage of people living with this difficult disease. Through
support services and our ongoing research and development efforts, we
continue to work to provide new hope for people living with MS," said
James C.

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The percentage of patients
identified at this point in the analysis is identical for all original
treatment groups. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany
(NYSE: SHR), develops and markets diagnostic imaging agents and treatments in
the areas of female healthcare and dermatology, as well as specialized
therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling diseases in the fields of the
central nervous system, oncology and gastroenterology.

Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported
financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking
statements , including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of
or indicate future events, trends , plans or objectives.
"Elan is proud to support the MS Leaders of Hope, a program that
recognizes individuals who have inspired others through their own
courageous ways of managing MS. This online voting process will occur
between September 12 and October 20, 2005, with winners to be
announced on November 8, 2005.

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In general, multiple
sclerosis does not substantially reduce life expectancy , but numerous studies
have demonstrated a modest, yet clear, reduction in untreated patients. Betaseron is the first and only interferon beta therapy available
in the United States that is stable at room temperature (250C/770F) for more
than 30 days, providing a convenient option for MS patients.com , demonstrated the creativity and
spirit of the MS community through innovative programs such as fitMS ,
a workout routine that helps restore balance and strength; Memory
Scrapbooks, a program developed to retain precious memories; and a
lesson plan designed to help a sixth grade teacher use her MS as a
teaching tool for her students.
"Last year's MS Leaders of Hope program exemplified how important
it is for patients to look at solutions to daily challenges. Each hour someone is newly diagnosed .

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It is important to determine if the
treatment benefits seen in the first years of the Betaseron pivotal trial
confer long-term benefits, as these preliminary results might suggest," said
Professor George Ebers, lead investigator of the Betaseron 16-LTF Study,
Action Research Professor, University Department of Clinical Neurology,
Oxford, UK. "I anticipate that the
full study results will help us to better judge the question of long-term
effectiveness.
The recommended dose of Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is 250 mcg injected
subcutaneously every other day, which delivers an average total of 875 mcg per
week.betaseron.msleadersofhope. Once the panel has made its selections, all
finalists will have their story and creative solution posted at
www.msleadersofhope.com, where visitors to the site will be able to
vote within each award category.5 million people worldwide.

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Beginning today, individuals interested in participating in the
program can visit www.

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These results were again demonstrated at five years. Injections for
this formulation should be administered immediately after preparation.berlex.
The online program, which begins today, will recognize the most
inspiring entries in each of seven different categories.com
This year, the MS Leaders of Hope awards program will introduce a
new category for young people between the ages of five and 17 .

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the
central nervous system that, according to the National MS Society,
affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States and
approximately 2. As a global leader in the
development, manufacturing , and commercialization of novel therapies,
Biogen Idec transforms scientific discoveries into advances in human
healthcare.com

About Elan

Elan Corporation (NYSE: ELN), plc is a neuroscience -based
biotechnology company.

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Data presented today at the American
Academy of Neurology meeting are the longest-term assessment of any MS-
specific treatment carried out to date. Tens of
thousands of patients worldwide have used Betaseron in controlled research
studies and in clinical practice , providing the broadest experience of any MS
therapy.
Betaseron is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS to
reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions are lymphopenia, injection
site reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex , headache and pain.
Berlex, Inc.

About Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) creates new standards of care in
oncology, neurology and immunology.

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MIAMI, Preliminary results of the first 16-year,
long-term follow-up study of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the
Betaseron (R) (interferon beta-1b) pivotal trial show that treatment with
Betaseron is safe in the long-term . "This is the first study to look at the impact of treating
patients with disease-modifying interferons on hard, unequivocal endpoints
such as long-term disability and life expectancy.
"We anticipate that the key findings of the 16-Year Long-Term Follow-up
Study will add to the level of confidence that physicians and patients have
come to expect from Betaseron, and build upon its proven safety , efficacy and
tolerability track record," said Ralph Makar, Vice President and General
Manager , Therapeutics Business Unit, Berlex Laboratories. More than a decade after its introduction, Betaseron continues to be
a first-line agent for relapsing forms of MS.

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To date, 234
patients have been identified (63 percent of the original cohort). This groundbreaking study was
conducted in North America and led to the approval of Betaseron, the first
disease-modifying agent for MS, in 1993.

ABOUT BETASERON
Betaseron was the first therapy approved in the United States to treat
relapsing-remitting MS, the most common form of the disease., jointly developed Betaseron.
In January 2002, the FDA approved a room-temperature-stable formulation of
Betaseron.
Last year , more than 20,000 votes were cast for 18 finalists over
a three-week online voting period. This year 's categories include:

Youth

Mobility

Relationship

Time Management

Employment /Workplace

Memory

Caregiving

The entry period will end on July 31, 2005, at which point a
select panel, comprised of people with MS representing the National MS
Society, MSWorld , Biogen Idec and Elan, will select three finalists in
each award category.com

About MSWorld

Inspired by Christopher Reeve nine years ago, MSWorld began with a
single chat room and has evolved into a comprehensive on-line
self-help site for everyone coping with MS.org

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S . Seventy-three of the 78 identified patients (94 percent)
originally assigned to the Betaseron 250 mcg group are still alive,
compared with 64 of the 78 identified patients (82 percent) originally
assigned to the placebo group. Injection
site necrosis has been reported in five percent of patients in controlled
trials.com. and DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--

National MS Society, MSWorld(R), Biogen Idec and Elan
Continue Tradition with Newly Expanded Awards Program
Featuring a Youth Category

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), MSWorld(R), Biogen
Idec and Elan Corporation, plc announced today the start of the second
annual MS Leaders of Hope awards, a program designed to recognize
people with MS and their family and friends who have responded to the
daily challenges of the disease in ways that uniquely inspire others.

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approval of
Betaseron 250 mcg for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS.
At the 12-year mark, the pioneering Betaseron clinical trial program again
reported positive efficacy and safety results. "From pioneering
therapeutic breakthroughs to establishing first-in -class patient support
programs, Berlex has always been committed to helping people with MS learn to
manage their disease and live as normal a life as possible. Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating injection
sites.
For full prescribing information, please visit http: //www. It
is expected that the number of entries will exceed the more than 2,000
submitted last year.biogenidec. All of the staff at
MSWorld are diagnosed with MS and volunteer their time and talents to
help others.

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Study investigators started reaching out to patients
from the original Betaseron pivotal trial in January 2005. In the
original pivotal trial, patients were placed in one of three study arms:
Betaseron 50 mcg, Betaseron 250 mcg or placebo. Thirty-nine of the 78 patients (50 percent ) originally assigned
to the Betaseron 250 mcg group reported being able to walk with or
without assistance, compared with 32 of the 78 patients (41 percent)
originally assigned to the placebo group.

-- Nearly 90 percent of the 234 patients identified to date are still
alive. As one of the original trial
investigators on the pivotal trial, it is gratifying to take part in the
continuing long-term research of its safety, efficacy and tolerability," said
Barry Arnason, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Chicago.
Now, the Betaseron 16-LTF Study is expected to provide landmark long-term
effectiveness and safety data for patients initiated on Betaseron compared to
control populations. The winner in
each category will receive $1,000, as well as a trip for two to the
National MS Society's National Conference to be held this year in
Atlanta, Georgia, November 9 - 11. This year's event is made
even better by the inclusion of our Canadian friends and a new youth
category. MSWorld is committed to helping people attain an
unparalleled level of independence by providing a safe place on-line
to meet for support and to gather information.

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All 11
original trial sites are participating in the study, and some sites have
identified all of their original patients.
The results of the Betaseron pivotal trial led to the U. It is a disease of young
adults, mostly women, with onset typically between 20 and 50 years of
age.

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In addition, the full results will provide us with data we do
not have at this preliminary stage around the measurement of cognitive
function including memory, attention, and reasoning. This 12-year study -- the longest follow-
up study of its kind, at that time -- demonstrated the long -term efficacy and
safety of Betaseron.
"The outstanding response to last year's MS Leaders of Hope
program encouraged us to expand this initiative to enable more
individuals to share their creative ideas and personal stories.

sclerosis summarising

Preliminary Results of Betaseron(R) Sixteen-Year Long-Term Follow -up Study Suggest Positive Long-Term Impact of Early Treatment Initiation

Focusing on the preliminary assessment of the study arm for the currently
marketed dose of Betaseron 250 mcg compared to placebo*, the results reveal
that:

-- To date, patients treated with Betaseron 250 mcg in the pivotal trial
are more likely to report continued ability to walk unaided or using
aids."

Sixteen Years of Betaseron Trials in Patients with MS
The Betaseron pivotal trial was the first large, randomized, placebo-
controlled study of any therapy in MS.msworld.

remission summarising

The reasons for this difference are unknown right now, but
hopefully, we will get a clearer understanding of why this difference occurred
when the study is completed and the data analyzed more fully. Female patients should be cautioned about the potential risk of
pregnancy. As a
patient, I realize that we are on the front line seeking ways to
improve the quality of our lives everyday.

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This type of information
is very important to patients and their families. Moreover, the results are expected to elucidate possible
effects of early treatment initiation on a patient's clinical disease course . It's this spirit of patients helping patients that makes a
difference for all of us," said Kathleen Wilson, MA, MFA, president
and founder of MSWorld, Inc. We are committed to making a
difference in the lives of people living with MS and their loved
ones," said Kelly Martin, president and chief executive officer of
Elan.msleadersofhope. "Our Motto at MSWorld
is Wellness is a State of Mind . When you are well within your mind
your life has its greatest potential," Kathleen Wilson MA, MFA ,
President + Founder, www.

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"We are making a concerted effort to track as many original patients as
possible for the study," continued Professor Ebers. Relapsing forms of MS include relapsing-remitting , the
most common form, and secondary progressive MS with relapses.
Betaseron should be used with caution in patients with depression.com.

ABOUT BERLEX
Committed to developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics that address
unmet medical needs, Berlex, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of
these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future
events or circumstances or otherwise.

Health Editors

NEW YORK, CAMBRIDGE , Mass.

sclerosis summarising

The Betaseron 50 mcg dose was
a study dose only, and was found to be a non-effective dose .
"While it is premature to draw firm conclusions from preliminary data, I am
particularly struck by the mortality trend among patients in the placebo arm
appearing to be three-fold different than that of patients receiving
Betaseron. Analysis after two years demonstrated that
significantly more patients receiving Betaseron were relapse-free, that those
relapses that occurred were less severe, and that hospitalizations for MS were
cut nearly in half.
Chiron Corporation and Berlex , Inc. Relapses are repeat attacks
during which new symptoms appear or existing symptoms worsen, followed by
periods of recovery. If the
injection is delayed, the solution should be refrigerated and injected within
a three-hour time period. For more information,
please visit http://www. Undue reliance should
not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors
that could cause actual results and Berlex's plans and objectives to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Elan shares trade on
the New York, London and Dublin Stock Exchanges . For additional
information about the company, please visit http://www.

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, a U. MS symptoms may include
vision problems, loss of balance, numbness, difficulty walking and
even complete paralysis.

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Depending on the end point, the
results were similar to either the Betaseron 250 mcg dose or placebo .msleadersofhope. Mullen, chief executive officer of Biogen Idec.

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The Betaseron 16-Year Long-Term Follow -up Study is expected
to be completed later this year."

(*) In the preliminary data collected to date, the results for the
Betaseron 50 mcg dose were variable. Berlex has business
operations in New Jersey, California and Washington. Winners will be presented with
their awards at the conference and profiled on
www. Also
for the first time, Canadian residents will be eligible to enter.

About The National MS Society

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, founded in 1946, supports
more MS research, offers more services to people with MS, provides
more professional education programs, and advances more MS advocacy
efforts than any other MS organization in the world.

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The Betaseron 16-Year Long-Term Follow-up Study (16-LTF) provides clinical
assessment of patients who first enrolled in the Betaseron pivotal trial
between 1988 and 1990. The London (Ontario) MS clinic
conducted a follow-up study with the 45 patients from the clinic who
participated in the pivotal trial.S.

elan.

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---

- - kjjkjk

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