Fred Baron

1) Here is the original request from Lisa, Fred's wife

Please please call them. I need tthem to ask people on the board why fred can't have this drug. This drug has been tested with freds tumor in a testube and is efficaous. The drug is in the hospital that fred is in AND this drug is being used in clinical trials on myloma (but fred doesn't qualify). It's bullshit. If I am unable to get drug I will take out full pg add in boston globe to ceo and board members. Fred is running out of time. He's so sick and needs this drug. Thanks so much

2) The Background

From a Friend Describing the problem

Fred Baron of Dallas, good friend, is in Mayo now with Multiple Myeloma(sp?). There is a drug-Tysabri- made by Biogene that is given for multiple sclerosis, but is now in clinical trials for use on Multiple Myeloma. Fred's drs at mayo think this drug is his only chance, but Bogene won't approve for fred because he is too sick and if it fails him, it could skew the outcome of the trials(this told to me by his wife). According to his wife, sen. Kerry called andy von eschenbach on friday, andy called biogene, and got this reply from the company. Fred needs a compassionate use release from the company, whose ceo is James Mullin ph: 617-679-2000. I would like to call him on monday to argue that they could release this drug for mayo drs to administer to fred, and have the FDA "carve" it out of being factored in the clinical trials. So, early monday I need Von eshenbach ph #, and arrange a call later with mr. Mullin. See what info you can get me on him, and who represents them in dc. Thanks.

From his Dr. Lust, Fred's Doctor
We are requesting approval from Biogen/Idec to obtain compassionate use of Tysabri (natalizumab) for a patient we have that has end-stage myeloma and has exhausted all other treatment options.  We have discussed the potential risks including the development of PML and the patient wishes to proceed with treatment.  The Mayo Clinic has been approved to dispense this medication and our neurologists have been using it for the approved indication, multiple sclerosis.  We also have an IRB approved clinical trial with this agent for myeloma through Biogen Idec entitled “A Phase I/2, Two Arm Dose Finding Study of Natalizumab for the Treatment of Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.  Our patient does not meet the eligibility criteria for this trial and the treating physicians would like to treat him with Tysabri off study.  If there are any additional questions please contact me at 507-250-3606 (cell phone).

From Harkin

On Sunday

I got through to Mullen.  He had already had extensive conversations with Senator Kerry and Lance Armstrong and had heard from President Clinton, too.  The answer he gave in every case was “no.  I believe that I understood it correctly that Kerry had organized a conference call with Mullen and FDA Commissioner Von Eschenbach.  I hear that Von Eschenbach said it was fine with him for the drug to be used in Fred’s case.  However, Biogen believes that Von E does not have that authority given the strict FDA conditions on the use of the drug.  (FDA had withdrawn the drug from the market because of its harmful effects.  It’s the only drug that has ever been reapproved – but its reapproval was with very strict limitations.).  I’m having people look into FDA’s authorities in this area.  Mike, it would be great if Bill Schultz could, too.  Also, I’m told that Mayo is what’s called an FDA “touch approved program” – which means that it’s one of the institutions in the country authorized to administer Tysabri.  Might be worth asking Schultz if there are authorities there that could allow Mayo to go ahead even without Biogen or FDA OK.  We’re exploring that, too.

On Munday after the call with the FDA

I just had a disappointing call with Dr. Von Eschenbach. FDA had a phone conference with the medical and science officers from Biogen. FDA told them there would be no prejudice to the clinical trial if this drug were used for Fred. They were appreciative but gave no indication they would change their position, which is that a corporate decision has been made they would not go outside the clinical trial. I am really upset about this, personally, since FDA has been great to help. I have not had the time today to reach out to some on the board of Biogen, but hope to do so yet today. I felt last night, after talking with Andy von Eshenbach, that with clearance from FDA, the company would be ok.

3) The Board of Biogen

Mr. Bruce R. Ross (Chairman)
Bruce R. Ross was appointed Chairman of the Board in January 2006. Mr. Ross is currently President of Cancer Rx, a healthcare-consulting firm. Immediately prior to launching Cancer Rx, Mr. Ross was Chief Executive Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an association of 15 of the largest cancer centers in the United States. He previously held senior management positions, during a 27-year career, at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including Senior Vice President, Policy, Planning and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group and President, Bristol-Myers Squibb U.S. Pharmaceutical Group. He received his B.S. from Syracuse University and later was a Bristol-Myers Scholar at the Yale School of Organization and Management. Mr. Ross began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.  Tom Harkin is asking Brook Byers to call

Mr. James C. Mullen (CEO)
James C. Mullen is President and Chief Executive Officer of Biogen Idec and has served in these positions since the merger in November 2003. Mr. Mullen joined Biogen Inc. in 1989. He was named Chief Executive Officer in 2000 and Chairman in 2002. Prior to being named CEO and Chairman, he also held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer (1999-2000); Vice President, International (1996-1999); Vice President, Operations (1992-1996); and Director, Facilities and Engineering (1989-1992). Mr. Mullen is a member of the Board of Directors of PerkinElmer Inc. and the Biomedical Science Careers Program Inc. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.

Mr. Lawrence C. Best
Lawrence C. Best retired in July 2007 as Executive Vice President of Boston Scientific. He was formerly the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corporation and held those positions since 1992. From 1981 to 1992, Mr. Best served as Senior Partner with Ernst & Young. From 1979 to 1981, Mr. Best served as a Professional Accounting Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Best began serving as a Director of Biogen in 2003. He is also a director of Haemonetics Corp.  Jeff Hirshber knows and is calling

Mr. Marijn E. Dekkers
Marijn E. Dekkers is President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and has served in that position since the merger of Thermo Electron Corp. and Fisher Scientific International in November 2006. Prior to that merger, Mr. Dekkers was President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Electron Corp., a position he held since November 2002. He served as Thermo’s President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2000 to November 2002. Prior to joining Thermo Electron Corp., Mr. Dekkers held various positions of increasing responsibility at Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc.) and General Electric Co. Mr. Dekkers is also a director of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Alan B. Glassberg, M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Glassberg is a Venture Partner and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Bay City Capital, a firm that manages investment funds in the life sciences industry. He has been associated with Bay City Capital since 2006. Dr. Glassberg served as Chief Medical Officer of Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. from August 2006 to March 2007, and he currently serves as a consultant to Poniard and as a member of its Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Glassberg was Associate Director of Clinical Care and Director of General Oncology at the University of California San Francisco Cancer Center and Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mount Zion Medical Center in San Francisco until June 2006. He received his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Glassberg began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.

Ms. Nancy L. Leaming
Nancy L. Leaming retired in 2005 as President and CEO of Tufts Health Plan. For 20 years, Ms. Leaming served in several executive positions at Tufts Health Plan, including President and CEO (2003 - 2005), President and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2003) and Chief Operating Officer (1986-1997). Ms. Leaming successfully led the managed care company to become a nationally recognized leader in its field, creating a strategic vision and strong corporate culture defined by product innovation, service excellence, quality and patient safety. She has served in various capacities on both commercial and non-profit boards. Ms. Leaming is currently a member of the boards of directors at Hologic Inc., where she chairs the Audit Committee, Edgewater Technology Inc., the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Mr. Robert W. Pangia
Robert W. Pangia has worked in investment banking for 20 years and is currently a partner in Ivy Capital Partners LLC and general partner of Ivy Healthcare Capital L.P., a private equity fund specializing in healthcare investments. >From 1996 to February 2003, Mr. Pangia was self-employed as an investment banker. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Pangia held various senior management positions at PaineWebber Inc. including: member of the board of directors, Chairman of the board of directors of PaineWebber Properties Inc., member of PaineWebber’s executive and operating committees, Chairman of the equity commitment committee, member of the debt commitment committee and Executive Vice President and Director of Investment Banking for PaineWebber Inc. of New York. Prior to his positions at PaineWebber, Mr. Pangia held other senior positions, including Managing Director of Investment Banking for Drexel Burnham Lambert of New York and Vice President of Investment Banking for Kidder, Peabody & Co. of New York. He received his A.B. from Brown University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. Mr. Pangia began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in September 1997. He is also a Director of McAfee Inc.

Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D.
Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D., retired as Vice Chairman of Cowen & Co. LLC in August 2006 after six years as an investment banker with the firm, where he focused on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Cowen & Co., he spent 13 years as an investment banker at PaineWebber Inc., where he was most recently Chairman of PaineWebber Development Corp., a PaineWebber subsidiary focusing on biotechnology. Dr. Papadopoulos is affiliated with New York University Medical Center as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Cell Biology. Dr. Papadopoulos is a co-founder and Chairman of the board of Exelixis Inc., a drug discovery and development company. He is also co-founder and member of the boards of directors of Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., a drug discovery and development company, and Cellzome Inc., a privately held drug discovery company. He is a member of the board of directors of Neuronyx Inc. and vice chairman of the board of directors of BG Medicine Inc., both privately held life sciences companies. In the not-for-profit sector, Dr. Papadopoulos is co-founder and Chairman of Foundation Sante, a member of the board of visitors of Duke University Medical Center and a member of the board of directors of the National Marrow Donor Program. Dr. Papadopoulos began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Gail Furman is asking John Sexton to call

Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D.
Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., has served as President, Research and Development, at Biogen Idec since September 2006. Prior to joining Biogen Idec, Dr. Pickett held several senior R&D positions, most recently as Corporate Senior Vice President & President, Schering-Plough Research Institute. In this capacity, Dr. Pickett helped bring several large and small molecule candidates into the Schering-Plough clinical development pipeline. Prior to joining Schering-Plough, he held several senior R&D positions at Merck & Co. Dr. Pickett received his Ph.D. in cell biology from University of California at Los Angeles and his B.Sc. in biology from California State University at Hayward. He began serving as a Director in September 2006.

Mr. Brian S. Posner
Brian S. Posner, a private investor, served as Chief Executive Officer and co-Chief Investment Officer of ClearBridge Advisors LLC from 2005 until March 2008. ClearBridge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason Inc., is an asset management company based in New York with approximately $90 billion in assets. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Posner co-founded Hygrove Partners LLC, a hedge fund, in 2000 and served as the Managing Partner for five years. He served as a Portfolio Manager and an Analyst at Fidelity Investments from 1987 to 1996 and, from 1997 to 1999, at Warburg Pincus Asset Management/Credit Suisse Asset Management. Mr. Posner holds an undergraduate degree in history from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Posner began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Bo Cutter may know  -- Alan Solomont's friend Will is close to him and is sure he will help.

The Honorable Lynn Schenk
Lynn Schenk is an attorney in private practice. She served as Chief of Staff to the Governor of California from January 1999 to November 2003. Ms. Schenk was previously an attorney in private practice from 1996 to 1998 and from 1983 to 1993. Ms. Schenk served as the U.S. Representative for the 49th District of the State of California from 1993 to 1995 and served as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing from 1980 to 1983. She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego and attended the London School of Economics. Ms. Schenk began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1995. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of The Scripps Research Institute.  She already called the Company.

Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., is Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a faculty member in the Department of Biology and the Center for Cancer Research. Dr. Sharp served as Director in the Center for Cancer Research (1985-1991), as Head of the Department of Biology (1991-1999), and more recently as Director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research (2000-2004) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Sharp co-founded Biogen Inc. in 1978, served as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee and began serving as a Director in 1982. He is also co-founder (2002), Director and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. and director of Magen BioSciences Inc. Dr. Sharp is a Nobel Laureate and a National Medal of Science recipient.  John Kerry is asking Marc Gorenberg to call.

Mr. William D. Young
William D. Young is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Monogram Biosciences Inc. (formerly ViroLogic, Inc.). From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Young served as Chief Operating Officer of Genentech Inc. Mr. Young joined Genentech in 1980 as Director of Manufacturing and Process Sciences and became Vice President in 1983. He was promoted to various positions and, in 1997, became Chief Operating Officer, taking on responsibility for all development, operations and sales and marketing activities. Prior to joining Genentech, Mr. Young was with Eli Lilly & Co. for 14 years. Mr. Young holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a M.B.A. from Indiana University. Mr. Young began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997. He is also a Director of Monogram Biosciences Inc. and Theravance Inc. Mr. Young was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 for his contributions to biotechnology.

4) The Major Shareholders

ClearBridge Advisors LLC 35,839,709 Commn (12.3%): 

·         represented on the Board by Brian Posner -- No Political Contributions

FMR Corp 28,979,121 Common (9.9%):

·         The Johnson Family in Boston owns 51% of FMR and Max baucus is cole to them and is calling

PRIMECAP Management Company 23,966,728 Common (8.2%):

Barclays Global Investors NA 18,645,603 Common (6.4%):

Carl Icahn (6.0%):  Shannon had Jimmy Williams contact Carl Icahn

5) Lobbyists -- It is my understanding that they have all tried, but that this CEO is unrelenting

Covington & Burling LLP

Rep by: Jeffrey B. Elikan , Richard F. Kingham , Erika K. Lietzan

Dutko Worldwide LLC

Rep by: Darren Willcox *

Foley Hoag LLP

Rep by: Brian P. Carey * , Thomas L. Grissom * , Paul T. Kim * , Nick Littlefield *

6) On The Canadian Option

Dr. Trudel spoke with Dr. Lust about 30 minutes ago.  I suggest you connect with him and hear his point of view of the conversation.  

From what Dr. Trudel has told me:

- Dr. Lust still has confidence in the US as an option

- In Canada, this procedure would be viewed as experimental

- There would be some need to engage with the hospital executives to secure permission and the appropriate process for paying for the drug (which is different in the socialized medical system), but my sense is that this would ultimately be manageable

- There is the potential that permission from the manufacturer would be required given the use-case of the drug is different than it's intention, but she does not know for sure if this would be required.  

Dr. Lust has her contact information.  She is waiting in the wings, if put into action she will instruct the pharmacy to do the appropriate investigation and put the wheels in motion to make it happen.

She also told me that Princess Margaret is the likely the only institution in the country capable of doing this type of advanced work in the Myeloma field.

I will add:Hospitals in Canada are chronically underfunded, and a donation may grease the wheels.  I would consider this and be up front with a proposal in conversations you have with senior members of the hospital executives.

7) Other Things that have happened:

Nate Landow who is a major Democratic Funder is  on the Board of the Mayo Clinic,  and is reaching out to his contacts at Mayo to see if they can make this happen around the company.  Paul is going to contact Harkin's person to see if she can figure out a way working with Mayo to administer the drug.

·         Alan Solomont who has contacted a close friend of his, Will Muggia,  who has a major interest in Biogen and he is going to reach out to a number of the Board Members to see what he can do. 

·         Steve Grossman contacted Senior management in the company to request the treatment.

·         Al Dwoskin is reaching out to Walter Moore at Genentech he knows who is close to this company.

thnak you

I've worked the dutko, foley hoag and partners angles. Don't know that it will mean anything given the pressure he's already resisted, but hope it helps.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

From: Mary Pat Bonner <mpbonner@bonnergrp.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:40:35 -0400
To: 'john.podesta@gmail.com'<john.podesta@gmail.com>
Subject: Fred Baron

1) Here is the original request from Lisa, Fred's wife

Please please call them. I need tthem to ask people on the board why fred can't have this drug. This drug has been tested with freds tumor in a testube and is efficaous. The drug is in the hospital that fred is in AND this drug is being used in clinical trials on myloma (but fred doesn't qualify). It's bullshit. If I am unable to get drug I will take out full pg add in boston globe to ceo and board members. Fred is running out of time. He's so sick and needs this drug. Thanks so much

2) The Background

From a Friend Describing the problem

Fred Baron of Dallas, good friend, is in Mayo now with Multiple Myeloma(sp?). There is a drug-Tysabri- made by Biogene that is given for multiple sclerosis, but is now in clinical trials for use on Multiple Myeloma. Fred's drs at mayo think this drug is his only chance, but Bogene won't approve for fred because he is too sick and if it fails him, it could skew the outcome of the trials(this told to me by his wife). According to his wife, sen. Kerry called andy von eschenbach on friday, andy called biogene, and got this reply from the company. Fred needs a compassionate use release from the company, whose ceo is James Mullin ph: 617-679-2000. I would like to call him on monday to argue that they could release this drug for mayo drs to administer to fred, and have the FDA "carve" it out of being factored in the clinical trials. So, early monday I need Von eshenbach ph #, and arrange a call later with mr. Mullin. See what info you can get me on him, and who represents them in dc. Thanks.

From his Dr. Lust, Fred's Doctor
We are requesting approval from Biogen/Idec to obtain compassionate use of Tysabri (natalizumab) for a patient we have that has end-stage myeloma and has exhausted all other treatment options.  We have discussed the potential risks including the development of PML and the patient wishes to proceed with treatment.  The Mayo Clinic has been approved to dispense this medication and our neurologists have been using it for the approved indication, multiple sclerosis.  We also have an IRB approved clinical trial with this agent for myeloma through Biogen Idec entitled “A Phase I/2, Two Arm Dose Finding Study of Natalizumab for the Treatment of Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.  Our patient does not meet the eligibility criteria for this trial and the treating physicians would like to treat him with Tysabri off study. If there are any additional questions please contact me at 507-250-3606 (cell phone).

From Harkin

On Sunday

I got through to Mullen.  He had already had extensive conversations with Senator Kerry and Lance Armstrong and had heard from President Clinton, too.  The answer he gave in every case was “no.  I believe that I understood it correctly that Kerry had organized a conference call with Mullen and FDA Commissioner Von Eschenbach.  I hear that Von Eschenbach said it was fine with him for the drug to be used in Fred’s case.  However, Biogen believes that Von E does not have that authority given the strict FDA conditions on the use of the drug.  (FDA had withdrawn the drug from the market because of its harmful effects.  It’s the only drug that has ever been reapproved – but its reapproval was with very strict limitations.).  I’m having people look into FDA’s authorities in this area.  Mike, it would be great if Bill Schultz could, too.  Also, I’m told that Mayo is what’s called an FDA “touch approved program” – which means that it’s one of the institutions in the country authorized to administer Tysabri.  Might be worth asking Schultz if there are authorities there that could allow Mayo to go ahead even without Biogen or FDA OK.  We’re exploring that, too.

On Munday after the call with the FDA

I just had a disappointing call with Dr. Von Eschenbach. FDA had a phone conference with the medical and science officers from Biogen. FDA told them there would be no prejudice to the clinical trial if this drug were used for Fred. They were appreciative but gave no indication they would change their position, which is that a corporate decision has been made they would not go outside the clinical trial. I am really upset about this, personally, since FDA has been great to help. I have not had the time today to reach out to some on the board of Biogen, but hope to do so yet today. I felt last night, after talking with Andy von Eshenbach, that with clearance from FDA, the company would be ok.

3) The Board of Biogen

Mr. Bruce R. Ross (Chairman)
Bruce R. Ross was appointed Chairman of the Board in January 2006. Mr. Ross is currently President of Cancer Rx, a healthcare-consulting firm. Immediately prior to launching Cancer Rx, Mr. Ross was Chief Executive Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an association of 15 of the largest cancer centers in the United States. He previously held senior management positions, during a 27-year career, at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including Senior Vice President, Policy, Planning and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group and President, Bristol-Myers Squibb U.S. Pharmaceutical Group. He received his B.S. from Syracuse University and later was a Bristol-Myers Scholar at the Yale School of Organization and Management. Mr. Ross began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.  Tom Harkin is asking Brook Byers to call

Mr. James C. Mullen (CEO)
James C. Mullen is President and Chief Executive Officer of Biogen Idec and has served in these positions since the merger in November 2003. Mr. Mullen joined Biogen Inc. in 1989. He was named Chief Executive Officer in 2000 and Chairman in 2002. Prior to being named CEO and Chairman, he also held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer (1999-2000); Vice President, International (1996-1999); Vice President, Operations (1992-1996); and Director, Facilities and Engineering (1989-1992). Mr. Mullen is a member of the Board of Directors of PerkinElmer Inc. and the Biomedical Science Careers Program Inc. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.

Mr. Lawrence C. Best
Lawrence C. Best retired in July 2007 as Executive Vice President of Boston Scientific. He was formerly the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corporation and held those positions since 1992. From 1981 to 1992, Mr. Best served as Senior Partner with Ernst & Young. From 1979 to 1981, Mr. Best served as a Professional Accounting Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Best began serving as a Director of Biogen in 2003. He is also a director of Haemonetics Corp.  Jeff Hirshber knows and is calling

Mr. Marijn E. Dekkers
Marijn E. Dekkers is President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and has served in that position since the merger of Thermo Electron Corp. and Fisher Scientific International in November 2006. Prior to that merger, Mr. Dekkers was President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Electron Corp., a position he held since November 2002. He served as Thermo’s President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2000 to November 2002. Prior to joining Thermo Electron Corp., Mr. Dekkers held various positions of increasing responsibility at Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc.) and General Electric Co. Mr. Dekkers is also a director of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Alan B. Glassberg, M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Glassberg is a Venture Partner and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Bay City Capital, a firm that manages investment funds in the life sciences industry. He has been associated with Bay City Capital since 2006. Dr. Glassberg served as Chief Medical Officer of Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. from August 2006 to March 2007, and he currently serves as a consultant to Poniard and as a member of its Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Glassberg was Associate Director of Clinical Care and Director of General Oncology at the University of California San Francisco Cancer Center and Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mount Zion Medical Center in San Francisco until June 2006. He received his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Glassberg began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.

Ms. Nancy L. Leaming
Nancy L. Leaming retired in 2005 as President and CEO of Tufts Health Plan. For 20 years, Ms. Leaming served in several executive positions at Tufts Health Plan, including President and CEO (2003 - 2005), President and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2003) and Chief Operating Officer (1986-1997). Ms. Leaming successfully led the managed care company to become a nationally recognized leader in its field, creating a strategic vision and strong corporate culture defined by product innovation, service excellence, quality and patient safety. She has served in various capacities on both commercial and non-profit boards. Ms. Leaming is currently a member of the boards of directors at Hologic Inc., where she chairs the Audit Committee, Edgewater Technology Inc., the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Mr. Robert W. Pangia
Robert W. Pangia has worked in investment banking for 20 years and is currently a partner in Ivy Capital Partners LLC and general partner of Ivy Healthcare Capital L.P., a private equity fund specializing in healthcare investments. >From 1996 to February 2003, Mr. Pangia was self-employed as an investment banker. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Pangia held various senior management positions at PaineWebber Inc. including: member of the board of directors, Chairman of the board of directors of PaineWebber Properties Inc., member of PaineWebber’s executive and operating committees, Chairman of the equity commitment committee, member of the debt commitment committee and Executive Vice President and Director of Investment Banking for PaineWebber Inc. of New York. Prior to his positions at PaineWebber, Mr. Pangia held other senior positions, including Managing Director of Investment Banking for Drexel Burnham Lambert of New York and Vice President of Investment Banking for Kidder, Peabody & Co. of New York. He received his A.B. from Brown University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. Mr. Pangia began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in September 1997. He is also a Director of McAfee Inc.

Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D.
Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D., retired as Vice Chairman of Cowen & Co. LLC in August 2006 after six years as an investment banker with the firm, where he focused on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Cowen & Co., he spent 13 years as an investment banker at PaineWebber Inc., where he was most recently Chairman of PaineWebber Development Corp., a PaineWebber subsidiary focusing on biotechnology. Dr. Papadopoulos is affiliated with New York University Medical Center as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Cell Biology. Dr. Papadopoulos is a co-founder and Chairman of the board of Exelixis Inc., a drug discovery and development company. He is also co-founder and member of the boards of directors of Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., a drug discovery and development company, and Cellzome Inc., a privately held drug discovery company. He is a member of the board of directors of Neuronyx Inc. and vice chairman of the board of directors of BG Medicine Inc., both privately held life sciences companies. In the not-for-profit sector, Dr. Papadopoulos is co-founder and Chairman of Foundation Sante, a member of the board of visitors of Duke University Medical Center and a member of the board of directors of the National Marrow Donor Program. Dr. Papadopoulos began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Gail Furman is asking John Sexton to call

Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D.
Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., has served as President, Research and Development, at Biogen Idec since September 2006. Prior to joining Biogen Idec, Dr. Pickett held several senior R&D positions, most recently as Corporate Senior Vice President & President, Schering-Plough Research Institute. In this capacity, Dr. Pickett helped bring several large and small molecule candidates into the Schering-Plough clinical development pipeline. Prior to joining Schering-Plough, he held several senior R&D positions at Merck & Co. Dr. Pickett received his Ph.D. in cell biology from University of California at Los Angeles and his B.Sc. in biology from California State University at Hayward. He began serving as a Director in September 2006.

Mr. Brian S. Posner
Brian S. Posner, a private investor, served as Chief Executive Officer and co-Chief Investment Officer of ClearBridge Advisors LLC from 2005 until March 2008. ClearBridge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason Inc., is an asset management company based in New York with approximately $90 billion in assets. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Posner co-founded Hygrove Partners LLC, a hedge fund, in 2000 and served as the Managing Partner for five years. He served as a Portfolio Manager and an Analyst at Fidelity Investments from 1987 to 1996 and, from 1997 to 1999, at Warburg Pincus Asset Management/Credit Suisse Asset Management. Mr. Posner holds an undergraduate degree in history from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Posner began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Bo Cutter may know  -- Alan Solomont's friend Will is close to him and is sure he will help.

The Honorable Lynn Schenk
Lynn Schenk is an attorney in private practice. She served as Chief of Staff to the Governor of California from January 1999 to November 2003. Ms. Schenk was previously an attorney in private practice from 1996 to 1998 and from 1983 to 1993. Ms. Schenk served as the U.S. Representative for the 49th District of the State of California from 1993 to 1995 and served as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing from 1980 to 1983. She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego and attended the London School of Economics. Ms. Schenk began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1995. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of The Scripps Research Institute.  She already called the Company.

Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., is Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a faculty member in the Department of Biology and the Center for Cancer Research. Dr. Sharp served as Director in the Center for Cancer Research (1985-1991), as Head of the Department of Biology (1991-1999), and more recently as Director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research (2000-2004) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Sharp co-founded Biogen Inc. in 1978, served as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee and began serving as a Director in 1982. He is also co-founder (2002), Director and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. and director of Magen BioSciences Inc. Dr. Sharp is a Nobel Laureate and a National Medal of Science recipient.  John Kerry is asking Marc Gorenberg to call.

Mr. William D. Young
William D. Young is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Monogram Biosciences Inc. (formerly ViroLogic, Inc.). From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Young served as Chief Operating Officer of Genentech Inc. Mr. Young joined Genentech in 1980 as Director of Manufacturing and Process Sciences and became Vice President in 1983. He was promoted to various positions and, in 1997, became Chief Operating Officer, taking on responsibility for all development, operations and sales and marketing activities. Prior to joining Genentech, Mr. Young was with Eli Lilly & Co. for 14 years. Mr. Young holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a M.B.A. from Indiana University. Mr. Young began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997. He is also a Director of Monogram Biosciences Inc. and Theravance Inc. Mr. Young was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 for his contributions to biotechnology.

4) The Major Shareholders

ClearBridge Advisors LLC 35,839,709 Commn (12.3%): 

·         represented on the Board by Brian Posner -- No Political Contributions

FMR Corp 28,979,121 Common (9.9%):

·         The Johnson Family in Boston owns 51% of FMR and Max baucus is cole to them and is calling

PRIMECAP Management Company 23,966,728 Common (8.2%):

Barclays Global Investors NA 18,645,603 Common (6.4%):

Carl Icahn (6.0%):  Shannon had Jimmy Williams contact Carl Icahn

5) Lobbyists -- It is my understanding that they have all tried, but that this CEO is unrelenting

Covington & Burling LLP

Rep by: Jeffrey B. Elikan , Richard F. Kingham , Erika K. Lietzan

Dutko Worldwide LLC

Rep by: Darren Willcox *

Foley Hoag LLP

Rep by: Brian P. Carey * , Thomas L. Grissom * , Paul T. Kim * , Nick Littlefield *

6) On The Canadian Option

Dr. Trudel spoke with Dr. Lust about 30 minutes ago.  I suggest you connect with him and hear his point of view of the conversation.  

From what Dr. Trudel has told me:

- Dr. Lust still has confidence in the US as an option

- In Canada, this procedure would be viewed as experimental

- There would be some need to engage with the hospital executives to secure permission and the appropriate process for paying for the drug (which is different in the socialized medical system), but my sense is that this would ultimately be manageable

- There is the potential that permission from the manufacturer would be required given the use-case of the drug is different than it's intention, but she does not know for sure if this would be required.  

Dr. Lust has her contact information.  She is waiting in the wings, if put into action she will instruct the pharmacy to do the appropriate investigation and put the wheels in motion to make it happen.

She also told me that Princess Margaret is the likely the only institution in the country capable of doing this type of advanced work in the Myeloma field.

I will add:Hospitals in Canada are chronically underfunded, and a donation may grease the wheels.  I would consider this and be up front with a proposal in conversations you have with senior members of the hospital executives.

7) Other Things that have happened:

Nate Landow who is a major Democratic Funder is  on the Board of the Mayo Clinic,  and is reaching out to his contacts at Mayo to see if they can make this happen around the company.  Paul is going to contact Harkin's person to see if she can figure out a way working with Mayo to administer the drug.

·         Alan Solomont who has contacted a close friend of his, Will Muggia,  who has a major interest in Biogen and he is going to reach out to a number of the Board Members to see what he can do. 

·         Steve Grossman contacted Senior management in the company to request the treatment.

·         Al Dwoskin is reaching out to Walter Moore at Genentech he knows who is close to this company.

1) Here is the original request from Lisa, Fred's wife

Please please call them. I need tthem to ask people on the board why fred can't have this drug. This drug has been tested with freds tumor in a testube and is efficaous. The drug is in the hospital that fred is in AND this drug is being used in clinical trials on myloma (but fred doesn't qualify). It's bullshit. If I am unable to get drug I will take out full pg add in boston globe to ceo and board members. Fred is running out of time. He's so sick and needs this drug. Thanks so much

2) The Background

From a Friend Describing the problem

Fred Baron of Dallas, good friend, is in Mayo now with Multiple Myeloma(sp?). There is a drug-Tysabri- made by Biogene that is given for multiple sclerosis, but is now in clinical trials for use on Multiple Myeloma. Fred's drs at mayo think this drug is his only chance, but Bogene won't approve for fred because he is too sick and if it fails him, it could skew the outcome of the trials(this told to me by his wife). According to his wife, sen. Kerry called andy von eschenbach on friday, andy called biogene, and got this reply from the company. Fred needs a compassionate use release from the company, whose ceo is James Mullin ph: 617-679-2000. I would like to call him on monday to argue that they could release this drug for mayo drs to administer to fred, and have the FDA "carve" it out of being factored in the clinical trials. So, early monday I need Von eshenbach ph #, and arrange a call later with mr. Mullin. See what info you can get me on him, and who represents them in dc. Thanks.

From his Dr. Lust, Fred's Doctor
We are requesting approval from Biogen/Idec to obtain compassionate use of Tysabri (natalizumab) for a patient we have that has end-stage myeloma and has exhausted all other treatment options.  We have discussed the potential risks including the development of PML and the patient wishes to proceed with treatment.  The Mayo Clinic has been approved to dispense this medication and our neurologists have been using it for the approved indication, multiple sclerosis.  We also have an IRB approved clinical trial with this agent for myeloma through Biogen Idec entitled “A Phase I/2, Two Arm Dose Finding Study of Natalizumab for the Treatment of Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.  Our patient does not meet the eligibility criteria for this trial and the treating physicians would like to treat him with Tysabri off study. If there are any additional questions please contact me at 507-250-3606 (cell phone).

From Harkin

On Sunday

I got through to Mullen.  He had already had extensive conversations with Senator Kerry and Lance Armstrong and had heard from President Clinton, too.  The answer he gave in every case was “no.  I believe that I understood it correctly that Kerry had organized a conference call with Mullen and FDA Commissioner Von Eschenbach.  I hear that Von Eschenbach said it was fine with him for the drug to be used in Fred’s case.  However, Biogen believes that Von E does not have that authority given the strict FDA conditions on the use of the drug.  (FDA had withdrawn the drug from the market because of its harmful effects.  It’s the only drug that has ever been reapproved – but its reapproval was with very strict limitations.).  I’m having people look into FDA’s authorities in this area.  Mike, it would be great if Bill Schultz could, too.  Also, I’m told that Mayo is what’s called an FDA “touch approved program” – which means that it’s one of the institutions in the country authorized to administer Tysabri.  Might be worth asking Schultz if there are authorities there that could allow Mayo to go ahead even without Biogen or FDA OK.  We’re exploring that, too.

On Munday after the call with the FDA

I just had a disappointing call with Dr. Von Eschenbach. FDA had a phone conference with the medical and science officers from Biogen. FDA told them there would be no prejudice to the clinical trial if this drug were used for Fred. They were appreciative but gave no indication they would change their position, which is that a corporate decision has been made they would not go outside the clinical trial. I am really upset about this, personally, since FDA has been great to help. I have not had the time today to reach out to some on the board of Biogen, but hope to do so yet today. I felt last night, after talking with Andy von Eshenbach, that with clearance from FDA, the company would be ok.

3) The Board of Biogen

Mr. Bruce R. Ross (Chairman)
Bruce R. Ross was appointed Chairman of the Board in January 2006. Mr. Ross is currently President of Cancer Rx, a healthcare-consulting firm. Immediately prior to launching Cancer Rx, Mr. Ross was Chief Executive Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an association of 15 of the largest cancer centers in the United States. He previously held senior management positions, during a 27-year career, at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including Senior Vice President, Policy, Planning and Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group and President, Bristol-Myers Squibb U.S. Pharmaceutical Group. He received his B.S. from Syracuse University and later was a Bristol-Myers Scholar at the Yale School of Organization and Management. Mr. Ross began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.  Tom Harkin is asking Brook Byers to call

Mr. James C. Mullen (CEO)
James C. Mullen is President and Chief Executive Officer of Biogen Idec and has served in these positions since the merger in November 2003. Mr. Mullen joined Biogen Inc. in 1989. He was named Chief Executive Officer in 2000 and Chairman in 2002. Prior to being named CEO and Chairman, he also held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer (1999-2000); Vice President, International (1996-1999); Vice President, Operations (1992-1996); and Director, Facilities and Engineering (1989-1992). Mr. Mullen is a member of the Board of Directors of PerkinElmer Inc. and the Biomedical Science Careers Program Inc. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.

Mr. Lawrence C. Best
Lawrence C. Best retired in July 2007 as Executive Vice President of Boston Scientific. He was formerly the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corporation and held those positions since 1992. From 1981 to 1992, Mr. Best served as Senior Partner with Ernst & Young. From 1979 to 1981, Mr. Best served as a Professional Accounting Fellow in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Best began serving as a Director of Biogen in 2003. He is also a director of Haemonetics Corp.  Jeff Hirshber knows and is calling

Mr. Marijn E. Dekkers
Marijn E. Dekkers is President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and has served in that position since the merger of Thermo Electron Corp. and Fisher Scientific International in November 2006. Prior to that merger, Mr. Dekkers was President and Chief Executive Officer of Thermo Electron Corp., a position he held since November 2002. He served as Thermo’s President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2000 to November 2002. Prior to joining Thermo Electron Corp., Mr. Dekkers held various positions of increasing responsibility at Honeywell International Inc. (formerly AlliedSignal Inc.) and General Electric Co. Mr. Dekkers is also a director of Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Alan B. Glassberg, M.D.
Dr. Alan B. Glassberg is a Venture Partner and member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Bay City Capital, a firm that manages investment funds in the life sciences industry. He has been associated with Bay City Capital since 2006. Dr. Glassberg served as Chief Medical Officer of Poniard Pharmaceuticals Inc. from August 2006 to March 2007, and he currently serves as a consultant to Poniard and as a member of its Clinical Advisory Board. Dr. Glassberg was Associate Director of Clinical Care and Director of General Oncology at the University of California San Francisco Cancer Center and Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Mount Zion Medical Center in San Francisco until June 2006. He received his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Dr. Glassberg began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997.

Ms. Nancy L. Leaming
Nancy L. Leaming retired in 2005 as President and CEO of Tufts Health Plan. For 20 years, Ms. Leaming served in several executive positions at Tufts Health Plan, including President and CEO (2003 - 2005), President and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2003) and Chief Operating Officer (1986-1997). Ms. Leaming successfully led the managed care company to become a nationally recognized leader in its field, creating a strategic vision and strong corporate culture defined by product innovation, service excellence, quality and patient safety. She has served in various capacities on both commercial and non-profit boards. Ms. Leaming is currently a member of the boards of directors at Hologic Inc., where she chairs the Audit Committee, Edgewater Technology Inc., the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Mr. Robert W. Pangia
Robert W. Pangia has worked in investment banking for 20 years and is currently a partner in Ivy Capital Partners LLC and general partner of Ivy Healthcare Capital L.P., a private equity fund specializing in healthcare investments. From 1996 to February 2003, Mr. Pangia was self-employed as an investment banker. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Pangia held various senior management positions at PaineWebber Inc. including: member of the board of directors, Chairman of the board of directors of PaineWebber Properties Inc., member of PaineWebber’s executive and operating committees, Chairman of the equity commitment committee, member of the debt commitment committee and Executive Vice President and Director of Investment Banking for PaineWebber Inc. of New York. Prior to his positions at PaineWebber, Mr. Pangia held other senior positions, including Managing Director of Investment Banking for Drexel Burnham Lambert of New York and Vice President of Investment Banking for Kidder, Peabody & Co. of New York. He received his A.B. from Brown University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. Mr. Pangia began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in September 1997. He is also a Director of McAfee Inc.

Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D.
Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D., retired as Vice Chairman of Cowen & Co. LLC in August 2006 after six years as an investment banker with the firm, where he focused on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining Cowen & Co., he spent 13 years as an investment banker at PaineWebber Inc., where he was most recently Chairman of PaineWebber Development Corp., a PaineWebber subsidiary focusing on biotechnology. Dr. Papadopoulos is affiliated with New York University Medical Center as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Cell Biology. Dr. Papadopoulos is a co-founder and Chairman of the board of Exelixis Inc., a drug discovery and development company. He is also co-founder and member of the boards of directors of Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., a drug discovery and development company, and Cellzome Inc., a privately held drug discovery company. He is a member of the board of directors of Neuronyx Inc. and vice chairman of the board of directors of BG Medicine Inc., both privately held life sciences companies. In the not-for-profit sector, Dr. Papadopoulos is co-founder and Chairman of Foundation Sante, a member of the board of visitors of Duke University Medical Center and a member of the board of directors of the National Marrow Donor Program. Dr. Papadopoulos began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Gail Furman is asking John Sexton to call

Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D.
Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D., has served as President, Research and Development, at Biogen Idec since September 2006. Prior to joining Biogen Idec, Dr. Pickett held several senior R&D positions, most recently as Corporate Senior Vice President & President, Schering-Plough Research Institute. In this capacity, Dr. Pickett helped bring several large and small molecule candidates into the Schering-Plough clinical development pipeline. Prior to joining Schering-Plough, he held several senior R&D positions at Merck & Co. Dr. Pickett received his Ph.D. in cell biology from University of California at Los Angeles and his B.Sc. in biology from California State University at Hayward. He began serving as a Director in September 2006.

Mr. Brian S. Posner
Brian S. Posner, a private investor, served as Chief Executive Officer and co-Chief Investment Officer of ClearBridge Advisors LLC from 2005 until March 2008. ClearBridge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason Inc., is an asset management company based in New York with approximately $90 billion in assets. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Posner co-founded Hygrove Partners LLC, a hedge fund, in 2000 and served as the Managing Partner for five years. He served as a Portfolio Manager and an Analyst at Fidelity Investments from 1987 to 1996 and, from 1997 to 1999, at Warburg Pincus Asset Management/Credit Suisse Asset Management. Mr. Posner holds an undergraduate degree in history from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Posner began serving as a director of Biogen Idec in 2008.  Bo Cutter may know  -- Alan Solomont's friend Will is close to him and is sure he will help.

The Honorable Lynn Schenk
Lynn Schenk is an attorney in private practice. She served as Chief of Staff to the Governor of California from January 1999 to November 2003. Ms. Schenk was previously an attorney in private practice from 1996 to 1998 and from 1983 to 1993. Ms. Schenk served as the U.S. Representative for the 49th District of the State of California from 1993 to 1995 and served as the California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing from 1980 to 1983. She received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego and attended the London School of Economics. Ms. Schenk began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1995. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of The Scripps Research Institute.  She already called the Company.

Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D.
Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., is Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a faculty member in the Department of Biology and the Center for Cancer Research. Dr. Sharp served as Director in the Center for Cancer Research (1985-1991), as Head of the Department of Biology (1991-1999), and more recently as Director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research (2000-2004) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Sharp co-founded Biogen Inc. in 1978, served as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee and began serving as a Director in 1982. He is also co-founder (2002), Director and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. and director of Magen BioSciences Inc. Dr. Sharp is a Nobel Laureate and a National Medal of Science recipient.  John Kerry is asking Marc Gorenberg to call.

Mr. William D. Young
William D. Young is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Monogram Biosciences Inc. (formerly ViroLogic, Inc.). From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Young served as Chief Operating Officer of Genentech Inc. Mr. Young joined Genentech in 1980 as Director of Manufacturing and Process Sciences and became Vice President in 1983. He was promoted to various positions and, in 1997, became Chief Operating Officer, taking on responsibility for all development, operations and sales and marketing activities. Prior to joining Genentech, Mr. Young was with Eli Lilly & Co. for 14 years. Mr. Young holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and a M.B.A. from Indiana University. Mr. Young began serving as a Director of IDEC Pharmaceuticals in 1997. He is also a Director of Monogram Biosciences Inc. and Theravance Inc. Mr. Young was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 for his contributions to biotechnology.

4) The Major Shareholders

ClearBridge Advisors LLC 35,839,709 Commn (12.3%): 

·        represented on the Board by Brian Posner -- No Political Contributions

FMR Corp 28,979,121 Common (9.9%):

·        The Johnson Family in Boston owns 51% of FMR and Max baucus is cole to them and is calling

PRIMECAP Management Company 23,966,728 Common (8.2%):

Barclays Global Investors NA 18,645,603 Common (6.4%):

Carl Icahn (6.0%):  Shannon had Jimmy Williams contact Carl Icahn

5) Lobbyists -- It is my understanding that they have all tried, but that this CEO is unrelenting

Covington & Burling LLP

Rep by: Jeffrey B. Elikan , Richard F. Kingham , Erika K. Lietzan

Dutko Worldwide LLC

Rep by: Darren Willcox *

Foley Hoag LLP

Rep by: Brian P. Carey * , Thomas L. Grissom * , Paul T. Kim * , Nick Littlefield *

6) On The Canadian Option

Dr. Trudel spoke with Dr. Lust about 30 minutes ago.  I suggest you connect with him and hear his point of view of the conversation.  

From what Dr. Trudel has told me:

- Dr. Lust still has confidence in the US as an option

- In Canada, this procedure would be viewed as experimental

- There would be some need to engage with the hospital executives to secure permission and the appropriate process for paying for the drug (which is different in the socialized medical system), but my sense is that this would ultimately be manageable

- There is the potential that permission from the manufacturer would be required given the use-case of the drug is different than it's intention, but she does not know for sure if this would be required.  

Dr. Lust has her contact information.  She is waiting in the wings, if put into action she will instruct the pharmacy to do the appropriate investigation and put the wheels in motion to make it happen.

She also told me that Princess Margaret is the likely the only institution in the country capable of doing this type of advanced work in the Myeloma field.

I will add:Hospitals in Canada are chronically underfunded, and a donation may grease the wheels.  I would consider this and be up front with a proposal in conversations you have with senior members of the hospital executives.

7) Other Things that have happened:

Nate Landow who is a major Democratic Funder is  on the Board of the Mayo Clinic,  and is reaching out to his contacts at Mayo to see if they can make this happen around the company.  Paul is going to contact Harkin's person to see if she can figure out a way working with Mayo to administer the drug.

·        Alan Solomont who has contacted a close friend of his, Will Muggia,  who has a major interest in Biogen and he is going to reach out to a number of the Board Members to see what he can do. 

·        Steve Grossman contacted Senior management in the company to request the treatment.

·        Al Dwoskin is reaching out to Walter Moore at Genentech he knows who is close to this company.