In November 2003, Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) was formed from the merger of two of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Biogen, Inc. and IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation. This combination has resulted in a fusion of complementary strengths in therapeutic focus, research and development capabilities, manufacturing expertise, global infrastructure, and financial position. Biogen Idec intends to continue its growth through discovery, development and commercialization of its own innovative products and through strategic alliances as the partner-of-choice for biologics development, manufacturing and marketing.
Biogen Idec is dedicated to pursuing the creativity of science. The company's products and development programs address a variety of key medical needs in the areas of oncology, neurology, dermatology and rheumatology.
Scientific excellence that achieves new standards of care drives the company's work. Biogen Idec expects to initially invest over $550 million per year in research and development, and has 1,000 R&D employees, including approximately 400 in discovery research. The company has a pipeline of 10 products in clinical development. Two of these products are in Phase III clinical trials: RITUXAN® (rituximab), in partnership with Genentech and F. Hoffman-LaRoche, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other cancer indications, and ANTEGREN® (natalizumab), in partnership with Elan Corporation plc, for the treatment of MS and Crohn's disease.
In addition to Biogen Idec's promising portfolio of drug candidates, the company's capabilities and capacity for protein manufacturing are also world-class in quality and scale. The company is one of a handful of biotechnology companies that has three licensed and dedicated biological bulk-manufacturing facilities, including its large-scale manufacturing plant in Research Triangle Park, NC, which is one of the world's largest cell culture facilities. Biogen Idec has sufficient commercial manufacturing capacity for its own pipeline, as well as for potential partners' products.
Biogen Idec is headquartered in Cambridge, MA and maintains centers of excellence in San Diego, CA and Cambridge focused on oncology and immunology. The company has additional offices in Canada, Australia, Japan and throughout Europe. The company currently employs approximately 4,000 people worldwide.