Our Corporate History

In 1978, a group of the world’s most accomplished biologists gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss founding a new kind of pharmaceutical company. Each of these researchers was a leader in an emerging field of science known as genetic engineering. Each saw the potential of harnessing the power of human genes to significantly improve human healthcare. This meeting was the genesis of Biogen.

Today, more than two decades later, Biogen has established a record of success and is the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company. Two of Biogen’s founders - Phillip Sharp of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Walter Gilbert of Harvard University - received the Nobel Prize for their discoveries. Pioneering research by Biogen scientists has also led to the development of several important new medical therapies.

Select Milestones

1978	A group of the world’s most accomplished biologists meet in Geneva, Switzerland to create a new biotechnology company On May 5, Biogen N.V. is incorporated in Luxembourg

1979	Biogen N.V. is incorporated in the Netherlands Antilles Biogen scientists are the first to announce the synthesis in bacteria (expression) of hepatitis B virus protein antigens Biogen enters into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Schering-Plough Corporation for alpha interferon

1980	Walter Gilbert, Ph.D., of Harvard University and one of Biogen’s founders, receives the Nobel Prize for sequencing nucleotides Biogen scientists are the first to announce the expression of a biologically active human leukocyte alpha interferon Biogen scientists are the first to announce the expression of a biologically active human fibroblast beta interferon Biogen enters into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Schering-Plough Corporation for beta interferon

1981	Schering-Plough enters Biogen’s alpha interferon in clinical trials

1983	Biogen opens its manufacturing facility in Cambridge, MA Biogen offers 2.5 million shares of stock priced at $5.75 (reflects subsequent stock splits) per share through its Initial Public Offering

1986	Biogen’s worldwide licensee for recombinant alpha interferon, Schering-Plough, begins commercial sales of Intron® A (Interferon alfa-2b) for treatment of hairy cell leukemia

1988	Biogen transfers legal seat of incorporation from the Netherlands Antilles to Massachusetts, becoming Biogen, Incorporated Biogen licenses its hepatitis B technology to SmithKline Beecham for use in hepatitis vaccines Biogen licenses its hepatitis B technology to Abbott for use in hepatitis diagnostics Biogen reacquires from Schering-Plough its worldwide rights to recombinant beta interferon

1989	SmithKline Beecham, launches Engerix®-B (hepatitis B vaccine) in the U.S.

1990	SmithKline Beecham sublicenses the rights to Biogen’s hepatitis B patents to Merck & Co.

1993	Phillip Sharp, Ph.D., of MIT and a founder of Biogen, receives the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of split genes Professor Sir Kenneth Murray of the University of Edinburgh, another Biogen founder, is knighted for his discovery of hepatitis B antigens

1994	Biogen reports positive Phase III results for AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a)

1995	Biogen dedicates 150,000 square-foot state-of-the-art research center in Cambridge Biogen breaks ground in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina

1996	FDA approves Biogen’s AVONEX for treatment of relapsing forms of MS Biogen completes Phase I studies of AMEVIVE® (alefacept) Biogen announces first stock split (2-for-1)

1997	EMEA approves AVONEX for marketing and sales in the European Union Biogen and CV Therapeutics enter into collaboration focused on the development of small molecule adenosine A1 antagonists for congestive heart failure Biogen dedicates 100,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in RTP

1998	Biogen receives the U.S. National Medal of Technology for its leadership in applying breakthroughs in biology to the development of life-saving and life-enhancing pharmaceutical products designed to treat large, previously underserved patient populations throughout the world, including development of hepatitis B vaccines, the first vaccines using recombinant DNA technology

1999	Biogen’s AMEVIVE enters Phase III trials in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Biogen announces stock split (2-for-1) Biogen expands in RTP, North Carolina, beginning construction of a 250,000 square- foot, large-scale bulk protein manufacturing facility, which will be one of the largest cell culture facilities in the world

2000	Biogen and Elan Corporation, plc announce collaboration on development and commercialization of the drug candidate ANTEGREN® (natalizumab) in MS and Crohn’s disease indications Biogen develops a backup adenosine A1 antagonist molecule for further studies that has both intravenous and oral forms based on a statistically significant demonstration of this pathway in a Phase II dose-ranging study in congestive heart failure Biogen and Eos Biotechnology, Inc., announce a research and development collaboration to identify novel targets for antibody and protein therapeutics in the area of breast cancer Biogen dedicates its first European manufacturing site, a commercial packaging facility in the Netherlands

2001	Biogen’s IMPACT study with AVONEX in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis achieves primary endpoint Biogen opens office in Tokyo, Japan On August 6, Biogen completes international registration filing for AMEVIVE Biogen and Elan Corporation announce the beginning of Phase III trials with ANTEGREN in MS and Crohn’s disease Biogen establishes a $1 million Biogen Legacy Fund to provide need-based scholarships for children who lost a parent during the tragic events of September 11th Biogen’s revenues exceed $1 billion

2002	FDA Advisory Committee recommends approval for AMEVIVE by an 8-2 vote. Biogen’s large-scale manufacturing plant named Project Excellence Award Winner by Fluor Corporation Biogen dedicates large-scale manufacturing plant and Bio 24 in RTP Biogen opens Community Laboratory, a state-of-the-art teaching facility where Cambridge-area students learn about biotechnology. EMEA, the European Regulatory Agency for pharmaceuticals, approves AVONEX for use in the treatment of patients who are at high risk of developing Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis (CDMS). Biogen announces that Medicare will provide coverage for multiple sclerosis patients treated with AVONEX as part of physician services.

2003	New England Journal of Medicine publishes the results of two Phase II clinical studies on ANTEGREN® (natalizumab) for treatment of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease Biogen and IDEC Pharmaceuticals announce collaboration to co-develop oncology therapeutics FDA approves AMEVIVE® (alefacept) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.