
1.	Business

Overview

Biogen Idec is a global biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing therapies for serious diseases with a focus on neurology, immunology and hemophilia. We currently have five marketed products: AVONEX, TYSABRI, RITUXAN, FAMPYRA, and FUMADERM. Our marketed products are used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and psoriasis.

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial statements for interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (2010 Form 10-K). Our accounting policies are described in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in our 2010 Form 10-K and updated, as necessary, in this Form 10-Q. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data presented for comparative purposes was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or for any other subsequent interim period.

Consolidation

Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect our financial statements, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and those of certain variable interest entities in which we are the primary beneficiary. For consolidated entities in which we own less than a 100% interest, we record net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of income equal to the percentage of the economic or ownership interest retained in such entities by the respective noncontrolling parties. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of an entity, we apply a qualitative approach that determines whether we have both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. These considerations impact the way we account for our existing collaborative relationships and determine whether we consolidate companies or entities with which we have collaborative or other arrangements. Determination about whether an enterprise should consolidate a variable interest entity is required to be evaluated continuously as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in us consolidating or deconsolidating our partner(s) to collaborations and other arrangements.

On September 6, 2011, we completed the purchase of the noncontrolling interest in our joint venture investments in Biogen Dompé SRL and Biogen Dompé Switzerland GmbH, our respective sales affiliates in Italy and Switzerland, from our joint venture partners, Dompé Farmaceutici SpA and Dompé International SA, respectively. Prior to this transaction, our consolidated financial statements reflected 100% of the operations of these joint venture investments and we recorded net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of income based on the percentage of ownership interest retained by our joint venture partners as we retained the power to direct the activities which most significantly and directly impacted their economic performance. We have continued to consolidate the operations of these entities following our purchase of the noncontrolling interest; however, as of September 6, 2011, we no longer allocate 50% of the earnings of these affiliates to net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests as Biogen Dompé SRL and Biogen Dompé Switzerland GmbH became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. For additional information related to this transaction, please read Note 2, Acquisitions to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments and methodologies, including those related to revenue recognition and related allowances, our collaborative relationships, clinical trial expenses, the consolidation of variable interest entities, the valuation of contingent consideration resulting from a business combination, the valuation of acquired intangible assets including in-process research and development, inventory, impairment and amortization of long-lived assets including intangible assets, impairments of goodwill, share-based compensation, income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, valuation of investments, derivatives and hedging activities, contingencies, litigation, and restructuring charges. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Subsequent Events

On October 26, 2011, we entered into an exclusive, worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Portola) under which both companies will develop and commercialize highly selective, novel oral Syk inhibitors for the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including RA and systemic lupus erythematosus. The collaboration’s lead molecule, PRT062607, is currently in Phase 1 studies.

Under the terms of the agreement, we will provide Portola with an upfront payment of $36.0 million in cash and purchase $9.0 million in Portola equity, with additional payments of up to $508.5 million based on the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones. We will lead the global development and commercialization efforts for the Syk inhibitor program in major indications such as RA and lupus, while Portola will lead U.S. development and commercialization efforts for select smaller indications as well as discovery efforts for follow-on Syk inhibitors. Portola retains an option to co-promote alongside us in the U.S. in major indications. Worldwide costs and profits will be split by us and Portola 75% and 25%, respectively.

Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust clearance by the U.S. government under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.