Content about IDEC

March 27, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for multiple sclerosis made by Biogen Idec, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for multiple sclerosis made by Biogen Idec, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) capsules for adults with relapsing forms of MS.

February 26, 2013

Reports: Elan not responding to acquisition offer from Royalty Pharma

A privately owned drug maker in New York is offering $6.5 billion for Irish drug maker Elan Corp., but hasn't heard back from it, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A privately owned drug maker in New York is offering $6.5 billion for Irish drug maker Elan, but hasn't heard back from it, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that Royalty Pharma's $11-per-share offer for Elan represented a 4% premium over its closing price Friday. Royalty buys royalty interests in drug products that are in late-stage development or have already entered the market, but doesn't develop or market drugs of its own, the AP reported.

February 8, 2013

Elan sells Tysabri rights to Biogen Idec

Elan will sell the rights to its drug for multiple sclerosis to partnering company Biogen Idec for $3.25 billion plus royalties, the Irish drug maker said.

DUBLIN - Elan Corp. will sell the rights to its drug for multiple sclerosis to partnering company Biogen Idec for $3.25 billion plus royalties, the Irish drug maker said.

January 7, 2013

Biogen Idec hopes treatment will be first advance in hemophilia B treatment in 15 years

Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

The drug maker announced that it had submitted a regulatory application for recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein, or rFIXFc, which it called the first long-lasting factor IX therapy for hemophilia B.

January 3, 2013

Experimental ALS drug fails in trial

An experimental drug for Lou Gehrig's disease made by Biogen Idec has failed in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug maker said.

WESTON, Mass. — An experimental drug for Lou Gehrig's disease made by Biogen Idec has failed in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug maker said Thursday.

Biogen announced results of its phase-3 trial of dexpramipexole in patients with the disease, known technically as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The drug failed to improve functioning and survival in patients and failed to show efficacy in key secondary endpoints as well, the company said.

February 15, 2012

Biogen Idec to acquire Stromedix

Drug maker Biogen Idec plans to spend up to more than $560 million to buy a company developing treatments for organ failure.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Drug maker Biogen Idec plans to spend up to more than $560 million to buy a company developing treatments for organ failure.

Biogen Idec announced that it would pay $75 million upfront, plus up to $487.5 million in milestone payments to acquire privately-owned biotech company Stromedix. Stromedix's lead drug candidate is STX-100, a monoclonal antibody entering phase-2 trials as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that causes difficulty breathing due to scarring of the lungs and is almost always fatal.

January 30, 2012

Biogen Idec appoints EVP human resources

Biogen Idec has appointed a former Lenovo executive to serve as its EVP human resources.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec has appointed a former Lenovo executive to serve as its EVP human resources.

January 5, 2012

Biogen Idec, Isis to develop spinal muscular atrophy drug

Biogen Idec and Isis Pharmaceuticals will work together on a drug invented by Isis for spinal muscular atrophy, the two companies said.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec and Isis Pharmaceuticals will work together on a drug invented by Isis for spinal muscular atrophy, the two companies said.

According to the companies, SMA is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality and causes muscle atrophy and weakness, occurring in 1-in-10,000 births. While children with the condition appear normal at birth, symptoms can develop within a few months and significantly shorten their lifespan. The drug, ISIS-SMNRx, is designed to compensate for the underlying genetic defect that causes SMA.