Empresas y finanzas

Biogen Idec to Acquire Syntonix



    Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals today
    announced that the companies have signed a definitive agreement for
    the acquisition of Syntonix by Biogen Idec. Syntonix, a privately held
    biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing
    long-acting therapeutic products to improve treatment regimens for
    chronic diseases, has multiple pre-clinical programs in hemophilia.

    Syntonix uses proprietary technologies to harness the human body's
    natural pathways for protecting antibodies against premature
    destruction and for transporting antibodies across cell barriers such
    as those in the lungs. These technologies may enhance the delivery of
    biopharmaceuticals through less frequent injections or by enabling
    pulmonary delivery.

    Syntonix's lead product, FIX:Fc, is a proprietary long-acting
    factor IX product for the treatment of hemophilia B. It has the
    potential to reduce the frequency of intravenous injections required
    for disease management. Syntonix is expected to file an
    investigational new drug application with the Food and Drug
    Administration for FIX:Fc in 2007.

    "With this transaction, we continue to deliver on our strategic
    initiative to enhance our pipeline and expand into additional
    specialized markets," said James C. Mullen, Biogen Idec's President
    and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). "Syntonix brings promising science
    and technology to areas of unmet medical need such as hemophilia, and
    we look forward to building on their expertise with Biogen Idec's
    global development, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities."

    "In pursuing next steps for Syntonix, joining forces with Biogen
    Idec was the best option for all stakeholders, including - over the
    long-term - patients," said John W. Ripple, CEO of Syntonix. "As a
    global leader in biomanufacturing and serving niche markets, Biogen
    Idec is well-poised to deliver on the promise of hemophilia therapies
    that require less frequent dosing."

    The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007.
    Upon completion, Biogen Idec will acquire all of the issued and
    outstanding shares of the capital stock of Syntonix for $40 million,
    payable at closing, and potential additional payments of up to $80
    million upon the achievement of certain development milestones.

    Contingent on the closing of the acquisition, Biogen Idec plans to
    maintain Syntonix's 25,000 square-foot facility in Waltham, MA for the
    continuing operation of Syntonix programs. The transaction, which has
    been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is subject
    to customary closing conditions.

    About Syntonix's Hemophilia Programs and Technology Platforms

    FIX:Fc is being developed for the treatment of hemophilia B in a
    strategic alliance with Biovitrum AB of Sweden with the companies
    sharing equally the costs and profits of development and
    commercialization. After regulatory approval, Syntonix is responsible
    for marketing FIX:Fc in North America and Biovitrum is responsible for
    marketing FIX:Fc in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East.

    Syntonix is pursuing other early-stage programs, including a
    long-acting factor VIII program, with the potential to improve the
    treatment of hemophilia A. In developing novel and improved
    treatments, the company uses propriety technology, including the
    SynFusion(TM) and Transceptor(TM) platforms.

    SynFusion drugs are based on proprietary Fc-fusion technology to
    create long-acting biopharmaceuticals with reduced dosing frequencies.
    Specifically, the SynFusion technology links a single copy of the drug
    to the Fc region on an antibody to optimize the pharmacokinetic and
    pharmacodynamic properties of the biopharmaceutical and extending its
    circulating half-life.

    Transceptor is a proprietary technology that enables pulmonary
    delivery of a SynFusion or Fc-fusion drug. The natural FcRn pathway
    transports antibodies and Fc-fusion drugs across the epithelial cell
    barrier in the lungs.

    About Hemophilia

    Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder that is caused
    by mutations that impair or eliminate the production of essential
    clotting factors naturally found in the blood. Hemophilia B, caused by
    mutations in the factor IX gene, affects approximately 3,600 people in
    the Unites States. Hemophilia A, caused by mutations in the factor
    VIII gene, affects approximately 14,500 people in the U.S. Both forms
    of hemophilia are characterized by spontaneous or prolonged bleeding
    for which there is no cure.

    Today a majority of hemophilia patients are treated with
    recombinant-derived factor VIII and IX products. Increasingly, younger
    patients are prescribed prophylaxis regimens with these products to
    prevent bleeding, rather than receiving treatment at the time of a
    bleed ("on-demand"). Long-term studies have demonstrated that
    maintaining a better circulating level of coagulation factor by
    infusing patients two or three times a week greatly reduces
    progressive joint deterioration commonly seen in hemophilia patients
    as a result of the bleeding.

    About Syntonix

    Syntonix is developing next generation biopharmaceuticals that
    enable better treatment options for patients with devastating chronic
    diseases such as hemophilia, anemia, and autoimmune disorders. The
    company applies its core technologies to develop long-acting SynFusion
    drugs that may be inhaled or injected less frequently. The resulting
    proteins, peptides and antibodies are being commercialized through
    internal development programs and collaborations with biotechnology
    and pharmaceutical partners. More information is available at
    www.syntnx.com.

    About Biogen Idec

    Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology, neurology
    and immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturing,
    and commercialization of novel therapies, Biogen Idec transforms
    scientific discoveries into advances in human healthcare. For product
    labeling, press releases and additional information about the company,
    please visit www.biogenidec.com.

    Biogen Idec Safe Harbor

    This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding
    the acquisition of Syntonix Pharmaceuticals and the development of
    FIX:Fc. These statements are based on the companies' current beliefs
    and expectations. Drug development involves a high degree of risk.
    Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the
    companies' current expectations include: the risk that unexpected
    concerns may arise

    from additional data or analysis, that regulatory authorities may
    require additional information, further studies, or may fail to
    approve the drug, or that the company may encounter other unexpected
    hurdles. For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties
    associated with Biogen Idec's drug development and other activities,
    see the periodic reports of Biogen Idec Inc. filed with the Securities
    and Exchange Commission. Biogen Idec assumes no obligation to update
    any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
    information, future events or otherwise.