Biogen Idec confirms move to the suburbs

Biogen Idec Inc., a biotechnology company, confirmed that it is relocating its corporate headquarters from Cambridge to Weston.

A company spokeswoman wrote in an e-mail that Biogen Idec had recently signed a lease for 350,000 square feet of undeveloped office space at the junction of Routes 20 and 128/95 in Weston; the move is likely to take place in either the late summer or the early fall of 2010, she added. About 400 to 600 company employees will be affected by the move.

In October, Biogen Idec said it was considering such a move.

Earlier this month, a Globe story noted that so many Cambridge biotech companies have fled to the suburbs in the past year that there is now a shortage of suburban lab space; cheaper lab space was one advantage that the suburbs had to offer over high-rent Cambridge.

To read more Globe stories about Biogen Idec, please click here.
(By Todd Wallack and Chris Reidy, Globe staff)