Biogen Idec is a biotechnology leader that discovers, develops and delivers medicines to improve the lives of patients. As a company, Biogen Idec recognizes that cutting-edge science and medicines can address unmet patient needs to change the course of devastating diseases.
Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide benefit every day from our industry-leading multiple sclerosis (MS) products. We have one of the strongest late-stage pipelines in the industry. In the coming years, we’re working hard to bring new therapies to market for patients with MS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease), hemophilia, and others.
With more than 5,000 employees, Biogen Idec is a truly global organization – generating revenue of more than $5 billion worldwide in 2011. In addition to our headquarters in Weston, MA., and our research operations in Cambridge, MA., we have a world-class manufacturing facility in North Carolina and offices in Canada, Australia, Japan and throughout Europe. We also have a direct commercial presence in 29 markets, including the US, EU, Brazil, China and India, and a network of distribution partners in more than 70 additional countries.
Research and Development
A commitment to research is fundamental to our mission at Biogen Idec; to create new standards of care for unmet medical needs, we must continually develop more effective ways to approach research. As with everything else we do, our approach to R&D is disciplined, focused and strategic.
At Biogen Idec, R&D is closely aligned with our business units. By applying our expertise in biologics and our growing capabilities in small-molecule drug discovery and development, we target specific medical needs where new or better treatments are needed.
Our R&D strategy is to discover and develop first-in-class molecules or best-in-class molecules that improve safety or efficacy for unmet medical needs. We look for discoveries that either break new ground in treatment or improve upon current therapies in meaningful ways.
Of course, a carefully constructed R&D strategy is meaningless without results. Through a combination of internal research, partnerships and acquisitions, we have a robust pipeline.