Singapore: Eisai's US subsidiary entered into a strategic manufacturing alliance with Biogen Idec to bolster the manufacturing capabilities of both companies through the joint utilization of Eisai's research triangle park-based manufacturing facility in North Carolina, US.

According to the the agreement, Biogen Idec will bring some of its small molecule manufacturing capabilities in-house by leasing the oral solid dose facility of the Eisai North Carolina plant, where it will begin manufacturing products for both companies.

Eisai will provide Biogen Idec with vial-filling services for its biologic therapies among others. This strategic capacity-sharing alliance will enable Eisai to maximize utilization of the Eisai North Carolina plant as well as strengthen the plant as a worldwide parenteral manufacturing hub in view of preparing for future products from the company's pipeline and its global supply chain strategy.

The terms of the agreement provide that Biogen Idec will lease from Eisai the oral solid dose facility of the Eisai North Carolina plant for a period of ten years and that it has the option of purchasing the oral solid dose facility building of the Eisai North Carolina plant in the future.

Biogen Idec will receive payments from Eisai for manufacturing Eisai's small molecule therapies, and Eisai will receive manufacturing payments for providing vial-filling services for Biogen Idec's biological products and other services. Approximately 50 Eisai employees whose main job duties are centered on the company's oral solid dose business are expected to become Biogen Idec employees in early 2013.