Biogen Inc has licensed from Genentech Inc worldwide, patent rights relating to fusion proteins, described as immunoadhesons. The non-exclusive licenses will apply to Amevive (alefacept), currently approved in the United States for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis, and other potential products in Biogen's product pipeline.
Biogen will pay an undisclosed royalty to Genentech beginning immediately. This has already been incorporated in Biogen's financial guidance for 2003.