Monday, March 30, 2009

Hamm carves out role as new COO at Biogen

By Marc Songini

Cambridge-based biotech giant Biogen Idec Inc. has appointed Robert Hamm chief operating officer of the company.

Hamm will replace current Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB) COO Hans Peter Hasler, who is leaving the company. Since 2007, Hamm has been executive vice president of Biogen Idec’s pharmaceutical operations and technology. With his promotion, he will also become head of global business operations, effective immediately.

Company CEO Jim Mullen stated that Hamm has “vast experience in virtually all aspects of our operations.”

Hamm joined Biogen Idec in 1994 and held a number of different positions since then. He served as senior vice president of the neurology strategic business unit from 2004 to 2007. Prior to that, his various roles at Biogen included a stint as senior vice president for Europe, Africa, Canada and Middle East. From 1987 to 1994 he worked as manager at Syntex Laboratories Corp.

Biogen Idec makes drugs for patients in more than 90 countries. Among the diseases its products treat are lymphoma, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Earlier this month, Biogen announced it would join with Cambridge-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc. to create oncology drugs based on Aveo’s ErbB3-targeted antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement, Cambridge-based Aveo is entitled to an up-front payment from Biogen Idec and eligible to receive milestone payments based upon meeting preset milestones. Neither company disclosed the specific financial terms of the transaction.

Biogen Idec’s total revenues in 2008 were $4.1 billion with a profit of $783 million. The company has more than 4,200 employees worldwide.