First Major International Manufacturing Facility will be one of the
Largest in the World
Global Biotechnology Company also Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and HILLEROD, Denmark, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -
Biogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGEN) joined by local and national officials and
business leaders, today broke ground on a large-scale manufacturing facility
in the Municipality of Hillerod, Denmark. Biogen also celebrated its 25th
anniversary.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990824/BIOLOGO )
The large-scale manufacturing facility (LSM) will be one of the largest
facilities of its kind in the world with 90,000 liters of bioreactor capacity.
It is also Biogen's first major international manufacturing plant. Biogen
expects to invest $250 million (DKK 1.75 billion) to build the 340,000 square
foot (34,000 m2) LSM, which is expected to create roughly 200 jobs. The LSM
will be used to manufacture multiple products in the company's growing
pipeline. Biogen expects construction on the LSM will be completed in late
2005. This project is expected to be the first phase of the company's
development in Hillerod.
Biogen's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Mullen said, "We
are delighted to be building a world-class manufacturing operation in the
Municipality of Hillerod that will create hundreds of jobs. Denmark's pro-
business environment, highly skilled workforce, and the rich research
environment in Medicon Valley make this an ideal place for Biogen to locate
its first major manufacturing facility outside of the United States. This new
facility will enhance our leadership in biologics manufacturing and gives us
greater capacity for producing multiple therapeutics that help improve the
quality of people's lives around the world. This important project represents
an exciting new chapter in Biogen's history and expands our presence in Europe
where we were founded 25 years ago."
The ceremony drew many in business and local and national government
including Helge Sander, Danish Minister for Science, Technology and
Innovation; Stuart Bernstein, American Ambassador to Denmark; Nick Haekerup,
Mayor of Hillerod; and Eva Nejstgaard, Deputy Mayor of Frederiksborg County.
Representatives from the Hillerod community also attended.
Minister Sander said, "Biogen is the first foreign biotechnology company
to establish a major manufacturing facility in Denmark/Medicon Valley, which
is a significant contribution to our efforts to bring Denmark to the top of
the European bioregions."
Mayor Haekkerup said, "Biogen is creating jobs and new opportunities for
200 of our citizens with this first phase of the Hillerod project. I look
forward to a continued positive partnership with the company."
In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, Biogen also commemorated 25
years in the biotechnology industry. Founded in 1978 in Geneva, Switzerland
by Nobel Prize-winning scientists, Biogen is the oldest independent
biotechnology company in the world with more than 2,700 employees worldwide.
Biogen, which actively supports science education initiatives, also
presented two teachers from Rungsted Gymnasium, a high school in Frederiksborg
County, with a trip to the company's worldwide headquarters in Cambridge to
visit the Community Laboratory, a state-of-the-art teaching facility on-site.
At the Community Lab, area students and teachers participate in labs and
workshops that enhance learning in science and biotechnology. The Rungsted
Gymnasium teachers will visit the Community Lab during the summer.
About Biogen
Biogen is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company and a
leader in biologics research, development and manufacturing. A pioneer in
leading edge research in immunology, neurobiology and oncology, Biogen brings
novel therapies to improve patients' lives around the world through its global
marketing capabilities. For press releases and additional information about
the company, please visit http://www.biogen.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
expected completion of construction of the LSM. These statements are based on
the company's current beliefs and expectations. A number of risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially. For example,
completion of construction of the LSM may be affected by problems or delays
that arise during construction, changes in the company's strategic plans, and
events related to the company's drug development and commercialization
efforts.
For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties associated
with these forward looking statements and the company's other activities see
the Outlook section in MD&A of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update
any forward-looking statements.
Media Contact: Media Contact in Denmark:
Amy Brockelman Birgitte Thygesen
Manager, Public Affairs Associate Director, Manufacturing
Administration
Biogen, Inc. Biogen (Denmark) Manufacturing
617) 679-3860 +45 7741 6020
Investment Community Contact:
Christina Dillon
Manager, Investor Relations
Biogen, Inc.
(617) 679-2812
SOURCE Biogen, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.biogen.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990824/BIOLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/101550.html
CONTACT:
Amy Brockelman, Manager, Public Affairs for
Biogen, Inc., +1-617-679-3860, or Birgitte Thygesen, Associate
Director, Manufacturing Administration, for Biogen (Denmark)
Manufacturing, +45 7741 6020, or Christina Dillon, Manager,
Investor Relations, Biogen, Inc., +1-617-679-2812
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