Biogen Idec And Neurimmune Therapeutics Announce Alliance To Develop Treatments For Alzheimer's Disease

[manuelm...@gmail.com]

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) and Neurimmune Therapeutics AG announced
they have entered into an agreement for the worldwide development and
commercialization of novel, fully human antibodies for the treatment
of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The alliance will focus on the
development of antibodies that bind to amyloid beta (Aβ), pathogenic
molecule thought to cause neurodegeneration and loss of cognitive
function in AD patients. Currently there are no therapies for AD
approved to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

Neurimmune will conduct research to identify potential therapeutic
antibodies using the company's Reverse Translational Medicine (RTM)
platform. Biogen Idec will be responsible for the development and
commercialization of all products. Neurimmune could receive an
aggregate of $380M in upfront and success-based milestone payments, as
well as a royalty on net sales of any products.

"Biogen Idec has the manufacturing, development and commercialization
capabilities to leverage our discovery and technology expertise. With
their extraordinary experience in the development of
biopharmaceuticals as well as their deep history in neuroscience,
Biogen Idec is the perfect partner for Neurimmune," said Edward
Stuart, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Neurimmune. "Our RTM platform
is well suited to the identification of novel, safe immunotherapies
for the treatment of human disease and we are particularly proud to
have entered into this deal less than one year after the founding of
the company."

"Biogen Idec has built a leading position in the development and
commercialization of treatments for neurological diseases such as
multiple sclerosis. This alliance with Neurimmune enables us to be at
the forefront of applied Alzheimer's research, with access to an
outstanding team of researchers and a remarkable technology platform,"
said Alfred Sandrock, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President, Neurology
Research and Development, Biogen Idec.

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent age-related
neurodegenerative disease affecting more than 15 million patients
worldwide. Alzheimer's disease patients experience the progressive
loss of cognitive functions, particularly those related to memory,
followed by death eight to 15 years following a progressive decline in
their disease. The pathology of Alzheimer's disease is characterized
by distinctive features including the deposition of Aβ in the form of
senile plaques and the loss of specific neuronal populations in the
brain.

Professor Roger Nitsch, a founder of Neurimmune and head of the
Division of Psychiatric Research at the University of Zurich
commented, "We have realized our aim of bringing our RTM platform to
this advanced stage in such a short time period. We look forward to
the advancement of these products for the benefit of Alzheimer's
disease patients."

About Neurimmune Therapeutics AG

Neurimmune Therapeutics AG is an emerging leader in neurodegenerative
disease drug development. Based on its proprietary Reverse
Translational Medicine (RTM) platform, the company is focusing on the
goal to develop a pipeline of safe and potent immunotherapies that
circumvent the potential side effects of active vaccination.
Neurimmune Therapeutics started operations in 2007 and is a spin-off
of the University of Zürich, Switzerland. The company is fully
financed by its directors and management. Dr. Karsten Henco is its
Chairman, co-founder and lead investor. For additional information,
please visit http://www.neurimmune.com.

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. The company's corporate headquarters are in Cambridge, MA
and all international functions and operations are coordinated from
its International Headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. For press releases
and additional information about the company, please visit,
http://www.biogenidec.com.

Biogen Idec Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
agreement with Neurimmune Therapeutics AG and the development of anti-
Alzheimer's antibodies. These statements are based on the companies'
current beliefs and expectations. Drug development involves a high
degree of risk. Only a small number of research and development
programs result in commercialization of a product.

Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
Biogen Idec's current expectations include the risk that the company
may not be able to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such
antibodies at each stage of the clinical trial process; technical
difficulties relating to the manufacture of such antibodies may be
encountered; the company may not be able to meet applicable regulatory
standards or regulatory authorities may fail to approve such
antibodies; and 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 Item 1A entitled "Risk Factors" in Biogen Idec's quarterly report
on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2007 that was
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2007,
as well as other periodic and current reports of Biogen Idec 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.