( CAMBRIDGE Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr ...)New One-Year Pharmacoeconomic Study Shows Avonex is Cost-Effective,Relative to Other Interferon Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis,Health

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 13, 2007 - Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) announced today that one-year data presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's (AMCP) 2007 Annual Meeting show that AVONEX(R) (Interferon beta-1a) is a cost-effective therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) when compared to other interferon beta treatments. Using a comprehensive analysis of medical and pharmacy costs, the results of the research concluded that patients treated with AVONEX, the most prescribed MS therapy worldwide, have the lowest total one-year cost to a health plan when compared to other interferon beta treatments.

Researchers analyzed 10,622 patients over one year to assess how demographic, administrative and clinical variables affect MS costs and utilization patterns and to examine the economic impact of treating MS. The independent data contained in Multiple Sclerosis Benchmarks(TM)(1), the retrospective, claims-based, observational study, showed that patients treated with AVONEX had the lowest average one-year cost compared to patients receiving other interferon beta treatments. It has been estimated that the total annual economic burden of MS in the United States exceeds $6.8 billion with a lifetime cost of $2.2 million per patient.(2)

"MS is a disease that can have an impact beyond its debilitating effect on patients," said Michael Pollock, Vice President, Global Health Economics, Biogen Idec. "Cost-effectiveness is an increasingly important factor in treating chronic diseases like MS. This study shows that in addition to its clinical impact, AVONEX can also help to substantially reduce the cost of care for patients living with this disease, when compared to other interferon beta treatments."

The MS Benchmarks analysis showed the total costs over one-year to MS patients on interferon beta therapy were: AVONEX, $19,896.15; Rebif(R) (Interferon beta-1a) sc, $22,207.85; and Betaseron(R) (Inter
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