Biogen Idec and Eisai Inc. have signed a strategic alliance that will boost the manufacturing capabilities of both companies’ Research Triangle Park (RTP)-based facilities. Under the terms of the agreement, Biogen Idec will lease a portion of the Eisai facility to manufacture oral solid dose products for both companies.

Eisai will provide Biogen Idec with with vial-filling services for biologic therapies and packaging services for oral solid dose products. The 10-year lease agreement gives Biogen the option to purchase theEisai oral solid dose facility.

“We view our supply chain as a lifeline to patients, designed to deliver quality therapies wherever and whenever they are needed,” said John G Cox, executive vice president of Pharmaceutical Operations and Technology, for Biogen Idec. “This innovative capacity-sharing relationship with Eisai fits strategically in our global drug supply network, particularly as we advance our oral therapeutics.”

Approximately 50 Eisai personnel are expected to become Biogen employees in early 2013, building on the company’s RTP workforce which exceeded 1,000 in 2012. Eisai currently employs approximately 225 full-time employees at its RTP site.

"We look forward to collaborating with Biogen Idec to continue the proud history of drug manufacturing excellence here at our RTP site," said Lou Arp, general manager of the Eisai RTP site and president of Global Oncology Manufacturing, for Eisai. "Our alliance will enable both companies to focus on respective areas of expertise while continuing to deliver high-quality and innovative products to patients. Moreover, employees will benefit by working in a highly collaborative environment that offers opportunities to further cultivate their careers.”

Biogen and Eisai have both operated manufacturing facilities in RTP since the mid-1990s. “This alliance underscores the Triangle region’s reputation as a globally competitive location for life sciences,” said Bob Geolas, president and CEO of Research Triangle Foundation. “In addition, it’s an illustration of the type of collaboration we encourage and foresee becoming more commonplace as the Park moves forward with its new Master Plan.”

Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders.