Acorda Therapeutics' AMPYRA now available in the U.S. and Puerto Rico

Mar 1 2010

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg is now available by prescription in the United States and Puerto Rico. AMPYRA was approved on January 22, 2010 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is indicated for use in all types of MS, and can be used either alone or with existing therapies, including disease-modifying agents.

“The majority of people with MS experience a decline in their walking as their disease progresses. The availability of AMPYRA therefore gives people with MS and their physicians an important new therapeutic option. AMPYRA is an oral therapy and the first and only treatment indicated to improve walking in people with MS,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., President and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “I am proud of the Acorda team, whose commitment and enormous efforts have allowed us to give patients access to AMPYRA just five weeks following FDA approval. We are committed to making AMPYRA broadly available to people with MS who may benefit from therapy, and to that end, have implemented patient assistance and co-pay programs.”

The AMPYRA patient assistance program is being managed by a third party organization with extensive experience in coordinating patient benefits. People with MS who meet certain income requirements may receive AMPYRA at no cost. People with MS participating in Medicare Part D may be eligible for financial assistance.

Acorda has also instituted a co-payment program that limits the out-of-pocket expense for eligible patients with private insurance to $40 for a one-month prescription, where allowed by law.

For more information about AMPYRA, including the patient assistance and co-pay programs, healthcare professionals and people with MS can contact AMPYRA Patient Support Services at 888-881-1918.

AMPYRA Patient Support Services will also work with healthcare professionals to process prescriptions and coordinate with insurance carriers to facilitate coverage. AMPYRA is available only through a network of specialty pharmacy providers that will provide the medication to patients by mail. AMPYRA will not be available in retail pharmacies.