Marks Start of a Yearlong 25th Anniversary Celebration
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Biogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGEN), joined by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley,
and about 100 state and local officials and business leaders today dedicated
two new world-class facilities in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina
and began a yearlong celebration leading up to its 25th anniversary.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990824/BIOLOGO )
Biogen's President and Chief Executive Officer James C. Mullen said,
"During the last 25 years, Biogen has established itself as a leader in the
field of biotechnology. We have expanded globally and in RTP, where we have
been pleased to work with Governor Easley and other state and business leaders
over the last seven years to invest $300 million and create more than 300
jobs. We have also delivered the top multiple sclerosis drug to more than
118,000 patients around the world and focused on discovering other novel
therapeutics that will improve the quality of people's lives. Our growing
pipeline has several late-stage products, and we have set industry benchmarks
in our commitment to manufacturing capacity and research and development. We
are confident our past success will translate into future growth and
commercial success in RTP and around the world."
Governor Easley said, "Biogen is an economic engine for North Carolina,
creating jobs and opportunity for hundreds of our citizens. Our continued
commitment to making progress in education and our business-friendly climate
allows Biogen to grow and prosper in our state. I congratulate Biogen on 25
years in the business of biotechnology and I look forward to a continued
partnership with this company."
Founded in 1978, Biogen is the oldest independent biotechnology company in
the world with more than 2,200 employees worldwide. Biogen's growth in RTP
has been a major highlight in the Company's history. Last year, the number of
employees in RTP more than doubled, and today there are over 300 total
employees.
Today's celebration included a formal dedication of the $173 million
large-scale manufacturing plant (LSM) and a 150,000 square-foot laboratory and
office building. The LSM, a 250,000 square-foot manufacturing facility with
120,000 liters of bioreactor capacity, was recently named a Project Excellence
Award winner by California-based Fluor Corporation. It gives Biogen one of
the largest biologic manufacturing capacities in the world and will have the
flexibility to produce multiple products in the Company's pipeline.
Also attending the ceremony were Dr. Charles Hamner, who recently retired
as President and CEO of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and James O.
Roberson, President of the Research Triangle Foundation, who spoke at the
event. Biogen presented Dr. Hamner with a $5,000 donation to support the
Center's program for biotechnology education and laboratory supplies in area
high schools.
Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical facts, this press release contains forward-
looking statements. Reference is made in particular to statements regarding
the Company's future growth and commercial success. The Company's business is
drug development and commercialization which involve a high degree of risk.
There risks include, but are not limited to, the uncertainties associated with
research and development activities and with taking new products through the
clinical trial and regulatory review process, the challenges involved in
manufacturing and commercializing products and in successfully meeting
competition, and, once a product is commercialized, the risk of exposure to
product liability, patent and other types of lawsuits, as well the other risks
and uncertainties described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these risks and
uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from
management's current expectations. The Company disclaims any duty to update
or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
About Biogen
Biogen, Inc., winner of the U.S. National Medal of Technology, is a
biotechnology company principally engaged in discovering and developing drugs
for human healthcare through genetic engineering. Headquartered in Cambridge,
MA, the Company's revenues are generated from worldwide sales of AVONEX(R)
(Interferon beta-1a) for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis,
and from the sales by licensees of a number of products. (Please see full
prescribing information at http://www.avonex.com.) Biogen's research and
development activities are focused on novel products to treat inflammatory and
autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, cancer, fibrosis and congestive
heart failure. The Company maintains active clinical research programs in
protein therapeutics, small molecules, genomics and gene therapy. For copies
of press releases and additional information about the Company, please consult
Biogen's homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.biogen.com.
Media Contact:
Amy Brockelman
Manager, Public Affairs
Biogen, Inc.
Tel: (617) 679-3860
Investment Community Contact:
Christina Dillon
Manager, Investor Relations
Biogen, Inc.
Tel: (617) 679-2521
SOURCE Biogen, Inc.
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http://www.biogen.com
Company News On-Call:
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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
CONTACT:
Amy Brockelman, Manager, Public Affairs,
+1-617-679-3860, or Christina Dillon, Manager, Investor
Relations, +1-617-679-2521, both of Biogen, Inc.
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