FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Biogen's AMEVIVE(R)

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FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Approval of Biogen's AMEVIVE(R)

		BIOGEN LOGO Biogen Logo. (PRNewsFoto)[KC] CAMBRIDGE, MA USA

    CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Biogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGEN) today announced that the FDA's Dermatologic &
Ophthalmic Drug Advisory Committee voted to recommend approval of AMEVIVE(R)
(alefacept) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
    (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990824/BIOLOGO )
    Burt A. Adelman, M.D., Biogen's Executive Vice President of Research &
Development, said, "This is an important step forward in the development of
AMEVIVE.  We are encouraged by the results of today's meeting and we look
forward to continuing to work with FDA to bring AMEVIVE to market as a new
treatment for psoriasis."
    Psoriasis is a T-cell mediated inflammatory disorder of the skin that can
cause considerable discomfort.  It is a disease for which there is no cure,
affecting people of all ages.  According to the American Academy of
Dermatology, psoriasis affects 3-5 million people in the United States and
about another 100 million people worldwide.  Although individuals with mild
psoriasis can often control their disease with topical agents, more than one
million patients worldwide require ultraviolet or systemic immunosuppressive
therapy.  According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the disease impacts
a person's psychological well being and social functioning as well as their
physical functioning.
    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
(please see full prescribing information at http://www.avonex.com), and from
the sales by licensees of a number of products.  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.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
potential for approval and marketing of AMEVIVE.  These statements are based
on the Company's current beliefs and expectations, and are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  Final
decision on approval of AMEVIVE will be made by FDA.  There is no guaranty FDA
will follow the Advisory Committee's recommendation. Approval is also subject
to the other risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, including
the risk of unexpected new data or information.  Even if approved, there is no
assurance that AMEVIVE will be free from technical issues affecting
commercialization or intellectual property disputes or that it will achieve
its market potential.  For more detailed information on the risks and
uncertainties associated with AMEVIVE and the Company's 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 Europe:
     Amy McKnight                            Elise Dekker
     Associate Director, Public Affairs      Manager, Medical Communications
     Biogen, Inc.                            Biogen France S.A.
     Ph: (617) 679-2723                      Ph: 33-1-41-37-70-73

     Investor Contact:
     Elizabeth Woo
     Director, Investor Relations
     Biogen, Inc.
     Ph: (617) 679-2812

SOURCE Biogen, Inc.

http://www.biogen.com.
Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/101550.html
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 McKnight, Associate Director, Public
Affairs, +1-617-679-2723, or Elizabeth Woo Director, Investor
Relations, +1-617-679-2812, both of Biogen, Inc., or Elise Dekker
Manager, Medical Communications of Biogen France S.A.,
33-1-41-37-70-73