Biogen Selects Denmark's 'Medicon Valley' as Site for its First International Major Manufacturing Facility

16-May-2001

Biogen, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGEN) today announced that it has purchased a 60-acre (243,000 m2) site with an option for an additional 36 acres (145,692 m2) in the Municipality of Hillerod, Denmark as the site of its first European major manufacturing facility. Biogen plans to invest $350 million or approximately 3 billion Danish Kroner in the project, which should create 400 new jobs in the region.

The Danish facility will include an aseptic filling and finishing plant and a cell culture plant for the manufacture of therapeutic proteins currently in Biogen's development pipeline. AVONEX(R) (Interferon beta-1a), the market leader for treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), also will be filled and finished at the facility. Ground breaking for the facility will occur in early 2002.

James C. Mullen, Biogen's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Biogen is a world leader in biologics manufacturing and this new facility is an important step in the execution of our long-term global business strategy. It will give us greater flexibility and control of finished product, help us ensure capacity worldwide and enhance our presence outside the United States.

"The decision to locate our facility in Denmark was made after 14 months of thorough research and evaluation of many opportunities. Denmark is extremely competitive because of its pro-business attitude and the quality of its workforce. The region of Copenhagen and the Southern part of Sweden - often referred to as "Medicon Valley" - is world class in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. We are very enthusiastic about being there."

Paul Coleman, PhD., Biogen's Senior Director of Manufacturing and General Manager of the Hillerod site, said, "With this new plant, Biogen reinforces its manufacturing leadership. We are particularly pleased about the outstanding cooperation we received during the site-selection process from Copenhagen Capacity, the official investment agency of Greater Copenhagen, and the Municipality of Hillerod. The close cooperation made our decision making easier and gave us confidence for future development of this important project."

"Medicon Valley" - the region encompassing Copenhagen and Southern Sweden - contains more than 60 percent of the Scandinavian pharmaceutical and medical device industry. On a per capita basis, Medicon Valley has the highest number of biotechnology companies in Europe. Denmark and Sweden rank third and fifth, respectively, among the world's largest pharmaceutical exporters per capita.

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