Dedicated Biotech Lab for San Diego Students and Teachers Opens on Biogen Idec Research Campus; Teaching Facility Offers Free Real-World Science Programs

The Community Lab offers three programs to 7th grade students andvarious teachers from within San Diego County at no cost to theschools. Throughout the academic year of 2005-2006, 7th graders andtheir teachers participate in weekly classes. During these all-dayclasses, students and teachers work side-by-side with Biogen Idecscientists, conducting laboratory procedures such as analyzing mockpatient samples and conducting DNA testing.

Biogen Idec worked with the San Diego County Office of Education,San Diego City Schools, lead science teachers, and the San DiegoScience Alliance to develop programs and a curriculum that align withand support the state's science standards. All 7th graders in SanDiego County follow a science education curriculum focused on the lifesciences.

"With the Biogen Idec Community Laboratory program we hope tofoster scientific curiosity and awareness in young people whileforging a strong partnership with local communities," said James C.Mullen, chief executive officer, Biogen Idec. "By opening our doors,we can share our passion for transforming discovery into advances inhealthcare with our neighbors."

The Community Lab San Diego programs include:

-- Weekly Classes for 7th Grade Life Science Students: The hands-on, inquiry-based experiences are aligned with California's science standards, helping students make connections between the standards-based curriculum and real-world applications. Several different lab experiences are available, and all enable students to use modern scientific equipment and learn about the science behind drug discovery.

-- Summer Institute for 7th Grade Life Science Teachers: These classes enrich the 7th grade program by providing orientation and prerequisite training for educators planning to bring their classes to the Community Lab during the academic year. Teachers perform the lab experiments prior to their students' visits, while also learning about the drug development process. In addition, the Summer Institute provides opportunities to network with fellow educators and industry professionals.

-- Life Sciences Summer Institute for High School Science Teachers: Through funding from the President's High Growth Jobs Training Initiative under the Department of Labor, the Community Lab hosts high school science teachers, in collaboration with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and BIOCOM. As part of this effort, teachers have the opportunity to experience the biotechnology industry firsthand and fine-tune their skills to become more effective in the classroom.

San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rudy Castruitasaid, "The Biogen Idec Community Laboratory is a fantastic resourcefor San Diego County science students and teachers. Not only are thestudents getting an unprecedented introduction to a state-of-the-artbiotech lab, but their teachers received an outstanding, in-depthtraining in advance of their students' visit. This is exactly the kindof thing that will spark students' interest in science, and we'reextremely fortunate to have this kind of support from Biogen Idec."

The Community Lab San Diego builds on the success of Biogen Idec'sCommunity Lab Cambridge and broadens the company's commitment to localcommunities and science education. Opened in August of 2002, theCommunity Lab Cambridge has served more than 3,500 students in thelocal Cambridge and Somerville, MA area.

About Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology, neurologyand immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturing,and 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.