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  Products on the MarketBiogen’s current commercial strategy is to research, develop, manufacture, and market its own products, as we do with AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a), the world's leading treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis, and AMEVIVE® (alefacept) for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Earlier in the Company's history, Biogen out-licensed its first generation of research discoveries to large pharmaceutical companies -- including Schering-Plough, SmithKline Beecham and Merck -- to create a revenue stream to fund new research and development programs. These companies converted two early Biogen discoveries -- the alpha interferon gene and hepatitis B antigens -- into blockbuster products. AMEVIVE® (alefacept)
AMEVIVE reduces lymphocyte counts (also called T cells). T cell levels should be measured weekly during the 12-week dosing period. AMEVIVE reduces immune cell counts which could increase the chance of developing infection or malignancy, which you should discuss with your doctor. If you develop any signs of infection or malignancy while undergoing a course of treatment with AMEVIVE, you should notify your doctor. AMEVIVE should not be taken if you are known to be allergic to AMEVIVE or any of its components. If you become pregnant while you are receiving AMEVIVE or within 8 weeks of finishing AMEVIVE, notify your doctor and consider enrolling in the Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-866-AMEVIVE. For full PRESCRIBING INFORMATION for AMEVIVE® (alefacept) please visit: www.amevive.com. AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a)
AVONEX® should be used with caution in people with depression and in people with seizure disorders. AVONEX® should not be used by pregnant women. People with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment with AVONEX®. Please see FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION for AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) on www.AVONEX.com.
Schering-Plough Corporation developed Intron® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant), a leading treatment for hepatitis and various cancers, based on the research of Biogen co-founder Professor Charles Weissmann of the University of Zurich. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted licensure for Intron® A in 1986 for the relatively small indication of hairy-cell leukemia. Intron® A is now the leading product in the $2 billion global alpha interferon market. It is marketed in more than 80 countries for 16 major indications. These include chronic hepatitis B and C, malignant melanoma, and many others.
(Hepatitis B Vaccines) Recombinant hepatitis B vaccines, the first human vaccines produced using genetic engineering, were developed based on the research of Biogen co-founder Professor Sir Kenneth Murray of the University of Edinburgh and are sold under license worldwide by SmithKline Beecham and Merck. Hepatitis B is one of the world's most serious and widespread chronic diseases. The global hepatitis B vaccine market now exceeds $1 billion dollars annually. It is expected to continue to grow as more countries adopt World Health Organization recommendations for the vaccination of newborns, teenagers, healthcare workers and other at-risk populations. ANGIOMAX® (bivalirudin)ANGIOMAX® (bivalirudin) is a short-acting intravenous direct thrombin inhibitor. Invented and developed by Biogen scientists, ANGIOMAX® was approved by the FDA in December 2000 for use as an anticoagulant in patients with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In 1997, Biogen licensed exclusive worldwide rights to bivalirudin to The Medicines Company, which has development programs underway for additional potential applications of ANGIOMAX® for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
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AMEVIVE is a biologic therapy, a new treatment option for adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. AMEVIVE directly concentrates on the cause of psoriasis, instead of just the symptoms. It does this by interfering with the overactive T cells that cause psoriasis. In addition, the ability of AMEVIVE to reduce the number of these T cells may explain why patients who respond to AMEVIVE treatments may see improvement for months at a time. After a course of AMEVIVE treatment, symptom-free living can last for months at a time, for those who respond. Results can improve after a second course of AMEVIVE treatment. AMEVIVE treatment is an injection administered by a health care professional during once a week visits for twelve doses.
AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is the first therapy shown in a pivotal clinical trial to both slow the accumulation of physical disability and decrease the frequency of neurological attacks in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Administered once-weekly as an intramuscular shot, AVONEX® was launched in the U.S. in May 1996 and became the market leader within seven months. Today, AVONEX® is the leading treatment for multiple sclerosis worldwide. More than 120,000 patients worldwide are now on AVONEX® therapy, which is marketed internationally in more than 65 countries.
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