ALKERMES GETS NOD TO MARKET SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG IN ITALY

Alkermes Inc. has gained approval to market its schizophrenia drug Risperdal Consta in Italy, raising to 70 the number of countries that have approved the compound for commercial sale. Cambridge, Mass.-based Alkermes said on Thursday that it expects the drug to start selling in Italy by the end of 2005. A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary markets and sells the drug for Alkermes, which makes the drug and receives fees and royalties on sales. While Risperdal Consta is approved in 70 countries it is marketed right now in about 50. The drug has been for sale in the United States since 2003.

Boston Business Journal (http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2005/09/12/daily49.html)