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.

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