Healthcare >> CEO Interviews >> January 10, 2001
James C. Mullen was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of
Biogen in June 2000 and is a member of the Board of Directors. Mr.
Mullen, 41, joined Biogen as Director, Facilities and Engineering, in
1989 and was named Vice President, Operations, in 1992. From 1996-1999,
Mr. Mullen served as Vice President, International, with responsibility
for building all Biogen operations outside North America. He was named
President and Chief Operating Officer in January 1999. During his 11-
year tenure at Biogen, Mr. Mullen has been credited with significant
accomplishments. As Vice President, Operations, he laid the
manufacturing and distribution groundwork to launch AVONEX' (Interferon
beta-1a), Biogen's flagship product for relapsing forms of multiple
sclerosis, and he successfully oversaw the creation of Biogen's
manufacturing capability in both Cambridge and Research Triangle Park.
As Vice President, International, Mr. Mullen was the key Biogen
executive responsible for the successful registration and launch of
AVONEX throughout Europe. AVONEX is now available in more than 30
countries worldwide, and Biogen is the first biopharmaceutical company
to launch a product on two continents concurrently. Mr. Mullen is
credited with creating Biogen's direct sales organization in Europe, the
largest in the biotechnology industry. From 1980 to 1989, Mr. Mullen
held a variety of manufacturing and engineering positions at SmithKline
Beckman (now SmithKline Beecham), including Director of Engineering. He
holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
and an MBA from Villanova University. Profile
Mr. Mullen: Biogen is one of the three oldest biotech companies. It was
founded in 1978 by a number of very prominent
