Biogen Idec launches educational forum, 'Women in MS'

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today announced the launch of "Women in MS," an educational initiative to address both the advantages and challenges female clinicians experience in treating patients living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The program includes a series of local seminars held throughout 2011 that feature female healthcare professionals at the forefront of MS research and treatment, as well as a mentor matching service to enable ongoing participant networking. The inaugural seminar, "Breaking the News," will take place on May 24, 2011 in Seattle and will be broadcast live to venues in Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

"Receiving a chronic disease diagnosis, like MS, can trigger strong emotions and significantly impact patients' families, careers, and social lives. To help patients cope with this uncertainty and change, physicians need to engage in frank and earnest discussions with their patients at the time of diagnosis," said Dr. Mariko Kita, Director, Virginia Mason Multiple Sclerosis Center and seminar presenter. "Gender and communication styles can influence these important patient-physician relationships."

The "Breaking the News" meeting will include presentations from Dr. Kita and Dr. Darcy Cox, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, as well as a firsthand patient account of receiving, mentally processing, and managing a MS diagnosis. There will also be a question and answer session with the panel. The program format is designed to provide female clinicians a holistic perspective on a MS diagnosis; offer an opportunity for discussion around techniques to support patients in understanding and communicating their diagnosis; and review the role of AVONEX, a therapeutic option with 15 years of patient experience, in the clinical management of newly diagnosed patients. Three additional meetings are planned for 2011.

"As clinicians, it is paramount that we recognize the complexities of communicating with our patients and ensure they receive access to comprehensive support services," said Dr. Cox. "The 'Women in MS' initiative is a forum to share and strengthen our resource network."

"The goal of the 'Women in MS' initiative is to identify gender-related communication gaps and unmet resource needs, and provide opportunities for clinicians to begin developing and initiating solutions," said Dr. Nancy Richert, Senior Fellow at Biogen Idec. "As a leader in MS treatment for more than 15 years, we are proud to be partnering with treating clinicians on this unique initiative to help drive excellence in MS care."