Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) announced today that Marijn E. Dekkers,
Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thermo Fisher
Scientific, has been elected to the Biogen Idec Board of Directors.
The election took place at the company's annual shareholder meeting on
May 31, 2007.
"Marijn Dekkers has the scientific background and proven business
skills to provide strategic leadership and guidance as we build on our
record of growth and success in delivering significant therapies for
patients," stated James C. Mullen, President and CEO of Biogen Idec.
"We are pleased that Marijn Dekkers has joined the Biogen Idec
Board of Directors and look forward to working with him," said Bruce
Ross, Biogen Idec's Chairman. "Through his experience at Thermo
Electron and now Thermo Fisher Scientific, he brings a key
understanding of how businesses must seize opportunities to maintain
industry leadership."
Prior to the merger of Thermo Electron Corporation and Fisher
Scientific International in November 2006, Dekkers was President and
CEO of Thermo Electron, a position he held since November 2002. During
this time, Dekkers led the consolidation of dozens of independent
businesses into a fully integrated company focused on the analytical
instruments industry. He joined Thermo Electron in July 2000 as chief
operating officer.
Dekkers was previously employed at Honeywell International
(formerly AlliedSignal), where he held a number of executive
positions. He began his career as a research scientist within General
Electric's corporate R&D center.
A native of the Netherlands, Dekkers received both doctorate and
master's degrees in chemical engineering from the University of
Eindhoven and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of
Nijmegen.
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.