Biogen Idec Finds That Nogo Receptor Could Play a Role in the Progression of Parkinson's Disease; Results of Collaboration with Yale Presented at Society of Neuroscience Meeting

This research, discovered by a team of Biogen Idec-led scientists,is the first to suggest that inhibiting the Nogo-66 receptor (NgR1)may provide therapeutic benefit in the treatment of Parkinson'sdisease. The abstract outlining this research, "Neuroprotection andRegeneration by Nogo Receptor Inhibition in Experimental Parkinson'sDisease," was presented yesterday afternoon at the Society ofNeuroscience Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic disease of the CNS in whichdopamine containing neurons in a part of the brain called thesubstantia nigra degenerate and die. The neurotransmitter dopamine,utilized by these neurons allows smooth, coordinated movement of thebody. Current therapies can ease the symptoms of Parkinson's disease,but none are able to slow or reverse its progression.

The new research by Biogen Idec scientists on an experimentalmodel of Parkinson's disease suggests that inhibiting the NgR1 pathwaypromotes dopaminergic cell survival in the substantia nigra region ofthe brain, increases dopamine levels in the affected areas of thebrain, and improves behavioral response.

NgR1 is a receptor for three proteins found in myelin, theinsulating substance that ensheathes axons. These proteins may inhibitnerve growth and may prevent nerve regeneration after injury. NgR1 mayalso accelerate nerve degeneration following injury. Biogen Idecscientists hypothesized that blocking NgR1 may slow degeneration ofaxons and prevent death of dopamine containing neurons in experimentalParkinson's disease.

"This research suggests a pathway in looking at how to treatneurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease," said AlphonseGaldes, D.Phil., Biogen Idec's Vice President, Drug Discovery. "Wecontinue to make exciting discoveries around central nervous systemrepair and regeneration and will pursue this pathway in the hope oftransforming these observations into a potential therapy."

In conducting this research, Biogen Idec scientists have closelycollaborated with Yale University scientists, who discovered the NgR1receptor. Biogen Idec has an agreement with Yale University to developtherapies based on the discovery.

"These new findings suggest molecular links between nerve fiberdegeneration and regeneration, and emphasize the role of axons inneurodegenerative disease," said Stephen M. Strittmatter, M.D., Ph.D.,Vincent Coates Professor of Neurology, Yale University Medical School.

About Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology, neurologyand immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturingand commercialization of novel therapies, Biogen Idec transformsscientific discoveries into advances in human healthcare. For productlabeling, press releases and additional information about the company,please visit www.biogenidec.com.