Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) announced today that Marijn E. Dekkers, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thermo Fisher Scientific, has been elected to the Biogen Idec Board of Directors. The election took place at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 31, 2007.
“Marijn Dekkers has the scientific background and proven business skills to provide strategic leadership and guidance as we build on our record of growth and success in delivering significant therapies for patients,” stated James C. Mullen, President and CEO of Biogen Idec.
“We are pleased that Marijn Dekkers has joined the Biogen Idec Board of Directors and look forward to working with him,” said Bruce Ross, Biogen Idec’s Chairman. “Through his experience at Thermo Electron and now Thermo Fisher Scientific, he brings a key understanding of how businesses must seize opportunities to maintain industry leadership.”
Prior to the merger of Thermo Electron Corporation and Fisher Scientific International in November 2006, Dekkers was President and CEO of Thermo Electron, a position he held since November 2002. During this time, Dekkers led the consolidation of dozens of independent businesses into a fully integrated company focused on the analytical instruments industry. He joined Thermo Electron in July 2000 as chief operating officer.
Dekkers was previously employed at Honeywell International (formerly AlliedSignal), where he held a number of executive positions. He began his career as a research scientist within General Electric's corporate R&D center.
A native of the Netherlands, Dekkers received both doctorate and master's degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Eindhoven and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Nijmegen.
About Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is a global leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative therapies. Patients in more than 90 countries benefit from Biogen Idec's significant products that address diseases such as lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit, www.biogenidec.com.
