RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — Biogen Idec, which produces a multiple sclerosis drug called Tysabri at its Research Triangle Park facility, announced plans to sell a 500,000-square-foot biologics manufacturing plant in Oceanside, Calif. to Genentech Inc. for $408 million in cash.

Biogen produces Tysabri at its Research Triangle Park plant and plans to continue making the drug for the near future, the story said.

A press release issued by the company said the 430 employees currently working at the plant would be offered jobs with Genentech.

Plans called for Biogen to begin producing Tysabri at the plant in 2006; however, the company and one of its partners recalled the drug after one patient�s death and another�s development of a rare central nervous system disorder known as �progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy,� according to a report in the San Diego Business Journal. In addition, earlier this month a Food and Drug Administration report indicated another case linked to the use of Tysabri, this one causing a brain infection, turned up in its Adverse Events Reporting System, which collects information from drug companies and physicians. In all, there have been five reported cases of patients facing deadly consequences after using the drug.

Biogen Idec press release: http://www.biogen.com/site/019_0.html?pr_id=../news/BiogenIDECPR_082.htm

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