UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):  March 1, 2010
 
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	 	000-50513	 	13-3831168	
(State or other jurisdiction	 	(Commission	 	(I.R.S. Employer	
of incorporation)	 	File Number)	 	Identification No.)	

15 Skyline Drive, Hawthorne, NY	 	10532	
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	(Zip Code)	
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (914) 347-4300
 
Not Applicable
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
Item 8.01 Other Events
 
On March 1, 2010, Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. issued a press release announcing 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. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this item.
 
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
(d)  Exhibits
 
99.1     Press Release dated March 1, 2010
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 	Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.	
 	 	 	
March 1, 2010	By:	/s/ David Lawrence	
 	 	 	
 	 	Name: David Lawrence	
 	 	Title: Chief Financial Officer	
 
2 

 
Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	 	Description	
 	 	 	
99.1	 	Press Release dated March 1, 2010	
 
3 

Exhibit 99.1

 
CONTACT:
 
Jeff Macdonald
Acorda Therapeutics
(914) 347-4300 ext. 232
jmacdonald@acorda.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Acorda Therapeutics Announces Availability of AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine)
 
·                   AMPYRA Now Available by Prescription in the United States and Puerto Rico
 
·                   AMPYRA Patient Support Services Available to Assist Healthcare Professionals and People with MS
 
HAWTHORNE, N.Y., March 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.
 
AMPYRA Patient Support Services is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 888-881-1918. For full U.S. Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, please visit: www.AMPYRA.com.
 
Important Safety Information
 
AMPYRA can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue AMPYRA use if seizure occurs.
 
AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (CrCl < 50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51—80 mL/min) is unknown, but AMPYRA plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with AMPYRA.
 
AMPYRA should not be taken with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same.
 
Urinary tract infections were reported more frequently as adverse reactions in patients receiving AMPYRA 10 mg twice daily compared to placebo.
 
The most common adverse events (incidence > 2% and at a rate greater than the placebo rate) for AMPYRA in MS patients were urinary tract infection, insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, asthenia, back pain, balance disorder, multiple sclerosis relapse, paresthesia, nasopharyngitis, constipation, dyspepsia, and pharyngolaryngeal pain.
 
For full U.S. Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for AMPYRA, please visit: www.AMPYRA.com.
 
About AMPYRA (dalfampridine)
 
AMPYRA is a potassium channel blocker approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an

 
increase in walking speed. AMPYRA, which was previously referred to as Fampridine-SR, is an extended release tablet formulation of dalfampridine (4-aminopyridine, 4-AP), which was previously called fampridine. In laboratory studies, dalfampridine has been found to improve impulse conduction in nerve fibers in which the insulating layer, called myelin, has been damaged. AMPYRA is being developed and commercialized in the United States by Acorda Therapeutics, and by Biogen Idec in markets outside the U.S. based on a licensing agreement with Acorda. AMPYRA is manufactured globally by Elan based on a supply agreement with Acorda.
 
About Acorda Therapeutics
 
Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing therapies for multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and other nervous system disorders. The Company’s marketed products include AMPYRA™ (dalfampridine), a potassium channel blocker approved as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); this was demonstrated by an improvement in walking speed; and ZANAFLEX CAPSULES ®  (tizanidine hydrochloride), a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. The Company’s pipeline includes a number of products in development for the treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord and brain.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding management’s expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects should be considered forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including Acorda Therapeutics’ ability to successfully market and sell Ampyra in the United States and to successfully market Zanaflex Capsules, the risk of unfavorable results from future studies of Ampyra, the occurrence of adverse safety events with our products, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain regulatory approval of Ampyra outside of the United States and our dependence on our collaboration partner Biogen Idec in connection therewith, competition, failure to protect Acorda Therapeutics’ intellectual property or to defend against the intellectual property claims of others, the ability to obtain additional financing to support Acorda Therapeutics’ operations, and unfavorable results from our preclinical programs. These and other risks are described in greater detail in Acorda Therapeutics’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Acorda Therapeutics may not actually achieve the goals or plans described in its forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on these statements. Acorda Therapeutics disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.