Cecil B. Pickett, Ph.D. will retire from his position as president, R&D of Biogen Idec. The company has initiated a search for a successor, and will consider both internal and external candidates. Dr. Pickett will continue to head R&D until his successor is appointed, and he will remain on the company’s board of directors.

“Cecil was recruited to transform Biogen Idec’s pipeline, build an exceptional leadership team and select a successor to lead R&D for the next decade,” said BI chief executive officer, James C. Mullen. “With 22 programs in Phase II and beyond, our pipeline is now among the strongest in the industry and rivals those of companies substantially larger than Biogen Idec. We look forward to continuing to benefit from his insights as a member of our board of directors.”

“I am extremely proud to have been part of the transformation of Biogen Idec’s product pipeline,” said Dr. Pickett. “Today, with five potentially first-in-class or best-in-class compounds in registrational trials and plans to initiate another three this year, our pipeline stands as one of the most robust in the industry. This is the right time for me to help in the transition to a new leader to carry these and other programs forward.”