Biogen, Isis Pharmaceuticals Announce Strategic Collaboration

Biogen Idec

and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

today announced that the companies have entered into a broad, multi-year collaboration to leverage antisense technology to advance the treatment of neurological diseases. The agreement combines Biogen Idec's expertise in neurology with Isis' leadership in antisense technology to develop novel therapies to treat neurological disorders. This is the fourth collaboration between the two companies in the last two years. "This strategic alliance with Isis builds on our existing relationship and combines the unique strengths of each partner to significantly advance the treatment of serious neurological diseases," said Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., Biogen Idec's executive vice president of research and development. "Antisense is a validated technology that we believe will help build our pipeline of antisense, small molecule and biologics programs, strengthening our leadership in neurology." Antisense technology is designed to alter a gene's function, silencing a mutation or activating a gene to compensate for an underlying genetic defect. When the