-- Labs at Duke University and HudsonAlpha Institute to Lead Research
Consortium --
-- Effort Could Pave the Way for Discovery of New Therapies for
Deadly Neurodegenerative Disease --
WESTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 17, 2012--
Biogen
Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced that it has entered into a
research collaboration with premier academic and research institutions
to sequence the genomes of up to 1,000 patients with amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS) in an effort to gain a deeper understanding about the
fundamental genetic causes of ALS.
Under the terms of the agreements, Biogen Idec will fund the project at
the laboratories of David Goldstein, Ph.D., Director of the Center for
Human Genome Variation at Duke University, and Richard M. Myers, Ph.D.,
President and Director of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology.
The researchers will sequence the genomes of approximately 500 patients
with ALS over the next two years, with an ultimate goal of sequencing
1,000 ALS genomes within five years.
Duke and HudsonAlpha will work with several world-class researchers who
have deep expertise and experience with ALS and the genes associated
with the disease. Along with Dr. Goldstein and Dr. Myers, the consortium
will include Robert Brown, D.Phil., M.D., a neurologist at the
University of Massachusetts Medical School who has devoted his career to
identify gene mutations that cause ALS; Aaron Gitler, Ph.D., a
geneticist at Stanford University whose recent work has focused on risk
factors associated with ALS; Tom Maniatis, Ph.D., a molecular biologist
at Columbia University studying changes in gene expression associated
with ALS; Guy Rouleau, MD, Ph.D., a neuro-geneticist at the University
of Montreal with expertise in gene identification in multiple
neurological diseases; and Neil Shneider, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist and
neuroscientist in the Motor Neuron Center at Columbia University, whose
work focuses on mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
“We are proud to collaborate with these distinguished academic and
research institutions as part of our mission to discover and develop
therapies for patients with ALS,” said Tim Harris, Ph.D., Senior Vice
President of Translational Medicine and Biochemistry at Biogen Idec.
“ALS is a devastating and deadly neurodegenerative disease, and there is
an urgent need for effective therapies. This effort promises to yield a
better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of the disease and
possibly provide new targets for potential therapies."
“Identifying the mutations that can lead to neurodegenerative disease
provides a key foothold for developing new therapies and a framework for
understanding variation in how patients progress and respond to
treatment,” said Dr. Goldstein of Duke. “Biogen Idec understands the
importance of academic and industrial partnership in the effort to build
as complete a picture of ALS genetics as possible, and we are grateful
for the tremendous support that Biogen Idec is providing in this effort.”
“Our hope is that the scientific discoveries resulting from this project
will be translated into treatments that alleviate suffering and save the
lives of people touched by this terrible disease,” said Dr. Myers of
HudsonAlpha.
About ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease and motor neuron disease, is a universally and rapidly
fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscle
weakness and wasting. ALS affects adults in the prime of life and
creates a substantial burden for caregivers. Worldwide incidence of ALS
is approximately two people per 100,000. Only one drug has been approved
for the treatment of ALS, and it typically extends survival by two to
three months. Life expectancy after the onset of symptoms is usually
three to five years. The cause of ALS is not yet known.
About Biogen Idec
Through cutting-edge science and medicine,
Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide
innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases,
hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the
world’s oldest independent biotechnology company. Patients worldwide
benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies, and the company
generates more than $5 billion in annual revenues. For product labeling,
press releases and additional information about the company, please
visit www.biogenidec.com.
Biogen Idec Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements about the development of potential therapies for ALS. These
forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend,"
"may," "plan," "will" and other words and terms of similar meaning. You
should not place undue reliance on these statements. Drug development
and commercialization involve a high degree of risk. Factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations
include the risk that adverse safety events may occur, regulatory
authorities may require additional information or may fail to approve
any potential new therapy, product reimbursement may be limited or
unavailable, there may be problems with manufacturing processes,
intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected, and the
other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors
section of Biogen Idec Inc.’s most recent annual or quarterly report and
in other reports Biogen Idec Inc. has filed with the SEC. These
statements are based on current beliefs and expectations and speak only
as of the date of this press release. Biogen Idec Inc. does not
undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statements.
Source: Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec Media Contact:
Amanda Brown Galgay, 781-464-3260
Senior
Manager, Public Affairs
or
Biogen Idec Investor Contact:
Benjamin
Strain, 781-464-2442
Senior Manager, Investor Relations
