That’s when a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel is scheduled to conduct a critical review of Fampridine-SR, Acorda’s new multiple sclerosis drug that is designed to make walking easier for the disease’s victims. Acorda has been working on the development of the drug since the mid-1990s.

Analysts said that a final FDA decision on Fampridine-SR may slip past an earlier deadline of Oct. 22.

“It would seem nearly impossible for the FDA to approve Fampridine so quickly after the panel” conducted its review on Oct. 14, Phil Nadeau, a Cowen & Co. analyst, said in a note to clients, according to Bloomberg News. “Nonetheless, assuming a positive panel, the delay is likely to be modest (three months or so).”

Acorda recently reached agreement with another biotech company, Biogen Idec of Cambridge, Mass., to handle the marketing and regulatory approvals for the Fampridine-SR medication in foreign markets. Acorda already sells Zanaflex, a treatment for involuntary muscle movements caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal injuries.

Earlier this month, Purchase-based PepsiCo said it was buying PepsiAmericas and another major bottler, Somers-based Pepsi Bottling Group, as part of a $7.8 billion deal.

Eldredge will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the company’s agent sales channel and wholesale organizations. He previously was vice president of carrier sales and service for Frontier Communications, a rural local exchange telephone company.

The Armonk-based computer services giant said that the expanded program, known as the Corporate Service Corps, will result in 1,500 employees working in the various countries by 2010, up from 600 currently.

By the end of 2009, IBM will deploy 52 global teams of eight to 10 employees to countries that include the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Romania and Turkey.

“Participants benefit via a once-in-a-life-time, problem-solving exercise in the developing world, communities gain by obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in pro bono expert consulting services, and IBM benefits by growing its next generation of leaders with the skills required to lead in a globally-integrated world,” said Stanley S. Litow, vice president of corporate citizenship and corporate affairs at IBM.

Nigeria—a new countty that IBM is adding to the program this year—provides examples of the type of projects that are receiving assistance from IBM. In that African country, IBM workers will help the government devise an information system for monitoring child and maternal health and help create an information technology platform that will link 18 government departments.

“We will continue to acquire rights and publish new products, market and sell all our products to all customer segments, and plan to continue to pay our vendors, licensors and employees on a timely basis,” Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Crecca said in a written statement. “Once the restructuring of the Haights Cross debt is complete, the enterprise will be significantly deleveraged, a very positive outcome for our businesses.”

The Elmsford-based company said that it has added over 160 members since it opened nine months ago. Trading volume on the barter site has doubled every month during that time, according to the company.

In Rockland, businesses that have signed up to use the barter service include an advertising company, a pest control buiness, a photography studio, a pet spa and a dental office.

Barter has become a popular way for many businesses to trade services with each other during the recession that has eroded sales and dried up available cash to make standard purchases.

Nearly 400,000 businesses nationally now barter for services, according to the National Association of of Trade Exchanges. Across the country, 350 local barter exchanges allow thousands of small and mid-sized businesses to exchange services with each other. The exchange takes a 6 percent commission from each side in a transaction.

Kevin Brown, co-principal of Hudson Barter Exchange, said that the barter service can help businesses attract new customers and manage cash flow.

“This is a way for our clients and friends to stay current with new tax laws, federal guidelines and innovative ways to save money,” explained Rich Kleban, D’Arcangelo’s director of business development.