Biogen Idec - Patient Stories

We play many roles in a given day or week — parent, sibling, caretaker, breadwinner, teacher and student. But few of us are prepared to play one of life's toughest role — that of a patient with a serious illness. These people have stories that reflect their courage and determination in coping with their disease that inspire us all.

Marie Stallbaum

Registered Nurse and Fitness and Figure competitor Marie Stallbaum has a unique perspective when she talks to MS nurses and patients. She herself has MS, first diagnosed in 1995. Marie says that despite her extensive medical experience, she was initially a poor patient. Convinced she could beat her disease through intense exercise and a good diet, the hard training only worsened her condition. Then her doctor prescribed AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a), and she learned to listen to her body's needs. After three months focused on incorporating the therapy into her lifestyle, Marie was able to create a moderate training regimen that didn't put her out of commission for days and helped her get into the best shape in her life. Highly competitive, Marie went on to win the fitness title at the 2001 Las Vegas Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Classic, and has continued to compete on the national level.

After 10 years on AVONEX, Marie comments, "It's convenient, I'm consistent with it, and that's what's important."

Please keep in mind that every individual experiences therapy with AVONEX differently. A patient's own experience may be different than that of Marie.

Important Safety Information

The most common side effects associated with AVONEX treatment are flu-like symptoms including myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.

AVONEX should be used in caution with patients with depression or other mood disorders and in patients with seizure disorders. AVONEX should not be used by pregnant women. Patients with cardiac disease should be closely monitored. Patients should also be monitored for signs of hepatic injury. Routine periodic blood chemistry and hematology tests are recommended during treatment with AVONEX. Rare cases of anaphylaxis have been reported. Please see complete prescribing information available at www.AVONEX.com.

Olga Bobrovnikova

After graduating from Moscow Conservatoire approximately 18 years ago, pianist Olga Bobrovnikova was completing post-graduate studies when she suffered a sudden paralysis below her waist. She recovered and completed her studies, but Olga now realizes that was her first "flare" of multiple sclerosis.

Olga continued to lead an active life raising a son, recording a CD, working as a classical music consultant, teaching and working in the field of musical therapy for children. However, by December 2000, Olga was experiencing problems with fatigue, memory and coordination affecting her hands and, for the first time in her career, she cancelled a recital. An MRI scan finally confirmed a diagnosis of MS, and Olga began treatment with AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a).

Since then her life has taken a dramatic turn for the better. Olga has experienced no recent fatigue, memory or coordination problems, and she is rebuilding her concert career. In addition to her efforts to bring to public attention the music of a "lost" Russian composer Paul Pabst, Olga has become active in helping to educate people about MS, inspiring others through concerts for patient groups and at neurology meetings in Europe, Canada and Russia.

Please keep in mind that every individual experiences therapy with AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) differently. A patient’s own experience may be different than that of Olga.

Important Safety Information

The most common side effects associated with AVONEX treatment are flu-like symptoms including myalgia, fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.

Darren Baker

Principal scientist Darren Baker always knew that the work of Biogen Idec's research staff was important - that the drugs that he and others worked on would help countless people. But not until he experienced difficulty swallowing and was diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in early 2003 did Darren truly appreciate for himself the value of those efforts. Darren was referred to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where he received a program of eight cylces of CHOP chemotherapy and RITUXAN® (rituximab) every three weeks. He experienced no side effects beyond those expected from CHOP chemotherapy alone and by the end of therapy had achieved a complete remission.

Darren, determined to give something back to the institution that had played such a central role in his treatment, joined a bicycle team of physicians and nurses from the Dana-Farber to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), a two-day 192-mile bicycle ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, MA. Thanks to donations from Biogen Idec as well as from Darren's friends, relatives, and colleagues, he has raised over $130,000 for the Dana-Farber in the four years he has ridden. Darren plans to keep on riding the PMC.

Please keep in mind that every individual experiences therapy with RITUXAN® (rituximab) differently. A patient’s own experience may be different than that of Darren.

Important Safety Information

The majority of patients experience infusion-related symptoms with their first RITUXAN infusion. These symptoms include but are not limited to, flu-like fever, chills/rigors, nausea, uticaria, headache, bronchospasm, angioedema and hypotension. These symptoms vary in severity and generally are reversible with medical intervention. In rare instances, severe and fatal infusion-related reactions have occurred, nearly all of which have been associated with the first RITUXAN infusion. These events appear as manifestations of an infusion-related complex and include hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation, cardiogenic shock and tumor lysis syndrome. Patients who develop clinically significant infusion-related cardiopulmonary events should have their RITUXAN infusion discontinued and receive medical treatment.

In rare instances, severe mucocutaneous skin reactions have occurred that may be associated with RITUXAN therapy. Many of these reactions have been described as paraneoplastic pemphigus and are known to be associated with various B-cell lymphomas, particularly NHL and CLL. Patients who develop a severe mucocutaneous skin reaction should have RITUXAN discontinued and receive appropriate medical treatment including a skin biopsy to guide therapy.

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