Scangos promises R&D action as he takes the reins at Biogen

Biogen Idec has officially confirmed the news that George Scangos (photo) will move from the CEO's post at Exelixis to become CEO of Biogen. And the 62-year-old Scangos wasted no time before promising analysts that he would bring some R&D discipline to Biogen Idec, which has been roiled as top execs fought a losing battle against Wall Street raider Carl Icahn. "At Exelixis, we were able to create a culture with a sense of urgency, a lack of bureaucracy, and great productivity-but with...

Sources: In surprise pick, Exelixis’ Scangos named CEO of Biogen Idec

Both Bloomberg and Reuters are reporting this morning that George Scangos will leave Exelixis to take over the helm at Biogen Idec. Quoting sources, the news wires report that the veteran biotech exec has been tapped to replace James Mullen, who left the company after a long and bruising fight with Wall Street raider Carl Icahn. The appointment puts a scientist in the CEO's post at Biogen Idec. Scangos got his biology degree at Cornell. The news of Scangos' appointment to the helm of the big...