The newly approved psoriasis medicine, Raptiva, will battle it out with Amgen and Biogen Idec drugs.
Biogen Idec has a new drug for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which causes 20% of leukemia deaths.
Both of the patients were also taking Avonex, a second drug made by Biogen Idec.
In late 1997 the FDA approved Rituxan, made by San Diego-based idec Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Analysts are split on Biogen Idec, but 11 of 22 analysts rate it hold.
By buying IDEC, Genentech could have gotten all of the Rituxan sales to itself.
Without the Orphan Drug Act, there would probably be no Biogen Idec, no Genzyme, Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
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These companies all chose to merge with bigger companies like Sanofi, Idec, and Takeda, respectively.
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Novartis competitor Biogen Idec is plying a slightly different approach that could have broader effects on neurons.
Biogen Idec and Genentech are fighting over the rights to the Rituxan-like drug and have entered arbitration.
Other competitors in the healthcare sector include: Pfizer (PFE), Biogen Idec (BIIB), and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Elan and Biogen IDEC are submitting to the FDA based on a one-year analysis of a two-year study.
Even after the latest upturn, however, historical valuation metrics indicate that Biogen Idec shares may be attractive.
Both Biogen and IDEC, he reasons, have recently done licensing deals with Genentech over relatively early stage research.
The hemophila data are the first of a series of catalysts expected for Biogen Idec in coming months.
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But since then, the price premium has decreased after Biogen Idec raised the price on Avonex 9% last December.
Biogen Idec (BIIB) reports its third quarter earnings on Thursday, October 25, 2012.
Lilly could make a play for Biogen Idec, whose expertise in biologics for neurology and cancer would fit well.
The trial of Genentech and Biogen Idec's lymphoma drug, Rituxan, in diabetes progression could report results later this year.
The Swedish study included funding from Biogen Idec, Merck Serono, and Umea University.
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Teva makes Copaxone, a treatment for multiple sclerosis that competes with the MS drugs made by Biogen Idec and Serono.
By contrast, Biogen Idec and Elan found out about these side effects within a matter of weeks and responded rapidly.
Some of the world's biggest drug and biotech firms are entering the once-neglected field, including Novartis, Biogen Idec and Merck.
The company, formed by the not-very-successful 2003 combination of Biogen and rival Idec, draws its revenues from three main drugs.
Now, the question is whether Biogen Idec can deliver the Tysabri launch that bullish investors have been dreaming of for years.
In Biogen Idec's story is one of the biggest lessons of biotech: Betting on the right drug goes a long way.
Biogen Idec and Elan intend to implement a PML safety monitoring system to try to catch early cases, should they occur.
Lofty expectations for its multiple sclerosis drug Antegren, to be co-marketed with Biogen Idec, have caused shares to quadruple this year.
One analyst, who requested to remain anonymous, thinks the combined Biogen IDEC could actually be looking to get bought by Genentech.
By combining this intellectual property in one company, Biogen IDEC might now be able to push Genentech to make an offer.
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