Douglas Williams to Leave Biogen for Biotechnology Start-Up

Douglas Williams, Ph.D., will leave Biogen BIIB at the end of July to become CEO of as-yet unnamed start-up biotechnology company. Dr. Williams will be the first member of a new organization with potential in cancer diagnostics and therapy. Responsibility for Biogen Research and Development will be assumed by Alfred Sandrock, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer, and Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Ph.D., senior vice president and Chief Scientific Officer. Both Dr. Sandrock and Dr. Artavanis-Tsakonas currently serve on the executive management team. "All of us at Biogen appreciate Doug's contributions to the rapid development of our Research and Development organization," said George A. Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer. "We are fortunate to have Al Sandrock and Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas to lead the work to which Biogen is dedicated." "While I am sad to leave Biogen I am excited about the opportunity to follow a real passion of mine," said Dr. Williams. "I am proud of the progress of the company's R&D organization and am pleased that it will be in very capable hands."