Biogen Idec Receives Director Nomination Proposal

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced that it has received
notice from Icahn Partners LP and certain of its affiliates for the
nomination of three individuals, Alexander J. Denner, Richard C.
Mulligan and Anne B. Young, to Biogen Idec´s Board of Directors at the
Company´s 2008 Annual Meeting.

The notice also includes a proposal to amend the Company´s bylaws
to set the size of the Board at 12.

Biogen Idec´s Board said it will review the notice and consider it
in light of the best interests of all shareholders of the Company.

About Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in therapeutic areas
with high unmet medical needs. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is a
global leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and
commercialization of innovative therapies. Patients in more than 90
countries benefit from Biogen Idec´s significant products that address
diseases such as lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid
arthritis. For product labeling, press releases and additional
information about the company, please visit www.biogenidec.com.

Important Information

Biogen Idec and its directors, executive officers and other
members of its management and employees may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of
Biogen Idec in connection with the Company´s 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders. Information concerning the interests of participants in
the solicitation of proxies will be included in any proxy statement
filed by Biogen Idec in connection with the Company´s 2008 annual
meeting of stockholders.

In addition, Biogen Idec files annual, quarterly and special
reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The
proxy statements and other reports, when available, can be obtained
free of charge at the SEC´s web site at www.sec.gov or from Biogen
Idec at www.biogenidec.com. Biogen Idec stockholders are advised to
read carefully any proxy statement filed in connection with the
Company´s 2008 annual meeting of stockholders when it becomes
available before making any voting or investment decision. The
Company´s proxy statement will also be available for free by writing
to Biogen Idec Inc., 14 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142. In
addition, copies of the proxy materials may be requested from our
proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, by toll-free telephone at
(877) 750-5836 or by e-mail at info@innisfreema.com.