Biogen Announces Alfred W. Sandrock, Jr. to Retire as Head of
Research & Development
Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced today that Alfred “Al” W.
Sandrock, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Head of Research & Development,
will retire from the Company effective December 31, 2021. A 23-year
veteran of Biogen, Dr. Sandrock, 64, led the development of many of
the Company’s most important and transformational therapies in
neurological diseases, including Tysabri® (natalizumab), Tecfidera®
(dimethyl fumarate), Spinraza® (nusinersen), Plegridy®
(peginterferon beta-1a) and Aduhelm™ (aducanumab-avwa). Dr.
Sandrock served on Biogen’s Executive Committee since 2015, as Head
of Research & Development since October 2019, and as Chief
Medical Officer from 2012 to 2020.
Priya Singhal, M.D., M.P.H., Head of Global Safety and
Regulatory Sciences, also with oversight responsibility for Japan
and China R&D, will assume Dr. Sandrock’s duties as Head of
Research & Development on an interim basis until a permanent
successor is identified.
“Al is a visionary who has dedicated his life to helping
patients confronting the most devastating diseases and is one of
the most recognized drug developers of his generation,” said Michel
Vounatsos, Chief Executive Officer at Biogen. “He inspired a new
generation of scientists while helping to grow Biogen from a small
biotech firm in Cambridge to a Fortune 500 enterprise, providing
life-saving and life-changing treatments to patients all around the
world. Among his multiple achievements, Al has built what I believe
is the most talented neuroscience R&D team in the industry and
a leading pipeline with approximately 30 clinical programs,
including 10 programs in Phase 3 or filed.”
“During his tenure, Al spearheaded the development of many of
Biogen’s most important pioneering therapies: Plegridy, Tysabri,
and Tecfidera to treat multiple sclerosis, Spinraza, our
groundbreaking treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and Aduhelm,
the first new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in nearly 20 years.
We are grateful for his outstanding leadership, intelligence, and
passion to help society, and wish him all the best.”
Stelios Papadopoulos, Chairman of the Biogen Board of Directors,
said: “Al is highly regarded and respected within Biogen and across
the scientific community for his remarkable ability to combine rare
intellect with warmth, humility, and empathy. His rare ability to
see what others have overlooked and his tenacious drive to help
others embodies what we strive to be as a company. The entire Board
wishes to acknowledge with deep gratitude his tremendous
contributions during his distinguished career.”
Dr. Sandrock said: “I have been honored to work alongside the
many outstanding professionals helping to advance Biogen’s vital
mission to develop innovative therapies for people living with
serious neurological disorders. I am very proud of the Biogen
R&D team, and I look forward to the new breakthroughs the
company will achieve in the future.”
About BiogenAs pioneers in neuroscience, Biogen
discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies
for people living with serious neurological diseases as well as
related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global
biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles
Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Sir Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize
winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today, Biogen has the
leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has
introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular
atrophy, and is providing the first and only approved treatment to
address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen is also
commercializing biosimilars and focusing on advancing the
industry’s most diversified pipeline in neuroscience that will
transform the standard of care for patients in several areas of
high unmet need.
In 2020, Biogen launched a bold 20-year, $250 million initiative
to address the deeply interrelated issues of climate, health, and
equity. Healthy Climate, Healthy Lives™ aims to eliminate fossil
fuels across the company’s operations, build collaborations with
renowned institutions to advance the science to improve human
health outcomes, and support underserved communities.
The company routinely posts information that may be important to
investors on its website at www.biogen.com. To learn more,
please visit www.biogen.com and follow Biogen on social media
– Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
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forward-looking statements, made pursuant to the safe harbor
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including statements relating to our business activities; our
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risk that positive results in a clinical trial may not be
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indications; the occurrence of adverse safety events; delay in
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MEDIA CONTACT:BiogenAshleigh Koss+ 1 908 205
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INVESTOR
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