Elan Corp. plc and Boehringer Mannheim KK, a subsidiary ofCorange Ltd., announced Wednesday that they have formed ajoint venture subsidiary in Japan.

The joint venture, which will be owned equally by both parties,is intended to manage certain aspects of Elan's Japanesenutritional business. It will also develop and market selectedproducts incorporating Elan's (ASE:ELN) drug deliverytechnologies.

Elan of Athlone, Ireland, already has ongoing developmentagreements with a number of Japanese companies, four ofwhich now involve the marketing of products in Japan byElan's licensees Tanabe Seiyaku, SS Pharmaceuticals andMitsubishi Kasei. Those and similar agreements will not beaffected by Elan's relationship with Boehringer Mannheim, thecompany said. -- Jennifer Van Brunt

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