Biogen'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.
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.
While Biogen is committed to marketing proprietary products, out-licensing is likely to remain a viable strategy for discoveries and inventions that do not fit the Company's immediate strategic profile.
AVONEX® (Interferon
beta-1a)
INTRON® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant)
ENGERIX-B®/RECOMBIVAX® (Hepatitis B Vaccines)
ANGIOMAX® (bivalirudin)
AVONEX®
(Interferon beta-1a)
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 115,000 patients worldwide are now
on AVONEX® therapy, which is marketed internationally in more than 65
countries.
As with all drugs, there are potential side effects and certain precautions associated with taking AVONEX® that are described in the complete Prescribing Information for AVONEX®. The most common side effects associated with AVONEX® treatment are flu-like symptoms, muscle ache, fever, and chills. Other common side effects seen, but not statistically different between AVONEX® and control groups, were headache, pain and asthenia (weakness). These side effects usually go away within a day after the injection and occur less often as the treatment continues. There are several ways to manage these flu-like symptoms, including taking an analgesic such as Tylenol®.
INTRON®
A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant)
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.
ENGERIX-B®/RECOMBIVAX®
(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.
