Dow Jones - Jun. 14, 2006

By Nicole Urbanowicz
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) has a system in place to minimize potential neurological risks associated with its multiple sclerosis drug, Tysabri, as it puts the drug back on the market in July, according to Chief Financial Officer Peter Kellogg.

At the Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, which was Webcast, Kellogg said Tysabri's new improved risk profile reduces the risk of patients who use the drug from developing a neurological disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, also known as PML, associated with Tysabri.

In February 2005, Tysabri was suspended in the U.S. after three patients on combination therapy including Tysabri contracted PML. Two of the patients died. The three PML cases were out of 3,000 patients who received Tysabri in a clinical trial.

Kellogg expects Tysabri's new "risk map" will help minimize risks associated with the drug because it involves patient screenings for PML and other symptoms. The company will also monitor patients who are taking the drug. The patients will be checked three and six months after receiving their first infusion. Also, patients will no longer be able to give self injections of the drug, as it will be prescribed and administered at a participating facility instead.

Tysabri, which has been in development for 12 years, is being sold at a premium, according to Biogen.

"We do anticipate quite a response when we get the product back on the market," Kellogg said. "MS is a market that has tremendous unmet need."

Biogen and its partner, Elan Corp. (ELN), co-own the drug and will share the profits 50-50.

Shares of Biogen Idec were recently trading at $46.41, up $1.01, or 2.2%.

-By Nicole Urbanowicz, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5460; nicole.urbanowicz@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 14, 2006 15:36 ET (19:36 GMT)
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