Biovitrum's and Syntonix's Novel Factor IXFc for Hemophilia B has Received Orphan Drug Designation From the FDA

Stockholm, Sweden and Waltham, MA  - November 24, 2008. Biovitrum  AB
(publ) (STO:BVT) and Syntonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary  of
Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) today  announced that the company's  FIXFc
compound for the  control and prevention  of hemorrhagic episodes  in
patients with hemophilia  B has received  an orphan-drug  designation
from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FIXFc compound is
a recombinant protein in early-stage development for the treatment of
hemophilia  B,  a  hereditary  bleeding  disorder  characterized   by
impaired production  of  factor  IX  and  the  blood's  inability  to
coagulate. The Fc fusion  with factor IX is  intended to prolong  the
effect of the compound, the goal  being that patients will need  less
frequent prophylactic treatments  than currently existing  therapies,
which require two to four administrations per week.

The companies' FIXFc  has previously received  an EMEA (COMP)  orphan
medicinal product designation for the treatment of hemophilia B.

Pre-clinical studies have shown that this FIXFc compound may have  an
extended half-life, and a study is currently ongoing to determine the
compound's safety and pharmacokinetics in hemophilia B patients.  The
current global market for Factor IX products is estimated at $600  MM
USD annually.  According to a recent analysis, the market is expected
to grow to $1.5 BN USD annually by 2015."This orphan  drug designation  is very  good news  for our  existing
project; Beyond securing market exclusivity  for the drug once it  is
approved, it  will  allow  for certain  benefits,  including  reduced
marketing application and license fees, the ability to work with  the
Office of Orphan Drugs for  protocol assistance, and for  appropriate
meetings with the Division of  Blood Applications. This will help  us
in our efforts  to hopefully bring  this improved recombinant  Factor
IXFc hemophilia  compound  to  those patients  who  have  significant
unment medical needs." said Martin Nicklasson, CEO of Biovitrum."We are pleased to  have achieved this important  goal for the  FIXFc
program,  which  we  are  developing  in  a  50/50  partnership  with
Biovitrum.  The purpose of both the FIXFc and Factor VIIIFc  programs
is to improve the lives  of hemophilia patients and their  families,"
said Matt Ottmer, Vice President of Syntonix.

About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is  a rare  hereditary disorder  in which  the ability  of
patients' blood to clot is impaired. As a result, the patient suffers
from excessive bleeding and  uncontrolled internal bleeding,  leading
to pain  and eventual  permanent damage  to joints  and muscles.  One
form, Hemophilia B results from mutations that impair the  production
of Factor IX. It has been reported that even with "proper  treatment"
the life expectancy  of hemophilia  patients is about  10 years  less
than for  individuals without  hemophilia. Increasingly,  the  normal
mode of treatment for younger patients is a prophylaxis regimen where
patients are infused two or three times per week to maintain a better
circulating  level   of  coagulation   factor.  Long   term   studies
demonstrate that  such  regimens  greatly  reduce  if  not  eliminate
progressive joint deterioration.

About SynFusionTM Technology
The SynFusion technology is based on Syntonix's proprietary Fc-fusion
technologies to create  longer-acting biopharmaceuticals.  Well-known
and  validated   traditional  Fc-fusion   drugs,  such   as   Enbrel®
(etanercept) for the  treatment of rheumatoid  arthritis, consist  of
two copies  of a  biopharmaceutical linked  to the  Fc region  of  an
antibody to  improve  pharmacokinetics,  solubility,  and  production
efficiency.  SynFusion drugs consist of a novel Fc-fusion  construct,
called a monomer that links only a single copy of the drug to the  Fc
region  on   an  antibody   to  optimize   the  pharmacokinetic   and
pharmacodynamic properties of the biopharmaceutical when compared  to
traditional Fc-fusion constructs.

About Biovitrum
Biovitrum is a pharmaceutical company  with operations in Sweden  and
in the UK. The company markets a range of specialist  pharmaceuticals
primarily in the Nordic countries. Using its expertise and experience
Biovitrum takes scientific innovation all  the way to the market  and
to specialist  indication  patients with  significant  medical  need.
Research  expertise   and   capabilities  include   development   and
production of biotechnology therapeutics,  as well as small  molecule
discovery and  development. With  revenues of  approximately SEK  1.3
billion and around 500 employees, Biovitrum is a significant European
specialty pharmaceutical player. Biovitrum's  share is listed on  the
OMX  Nordic  Exchange  in  Stockholm.  For  more  information  go  to
www.biovitrum.com.

About Syntonix
Syntonix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Waltham,  MA, USA) is a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of  Biogen Idec.  Syntonix is  developing next  generation
biopharmaceuticals that enable better treatment options for  patients
with devastating chronic diseases  such as hemophilia and  autoimmune
disorders. The  company  applies  its core  technologies  to  develop
long-acting biopharmaceuticals that may be injected less  frequently,
and to discover novel drugs to treat antibody-mediated autoimmune and
inflammatory  disorders.   The  resulting   proteins,  peptides   and
antibodies are  being  commercialized  through  internal  development
programs and  collaborations  with biotechnology  and  pharmaceutical
partners. More information is available at www.syntnx.com.
Safe Harbor/Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding  the
market  for  Factor  IX  products  and  the  impact  of  orphan  drug
designation.  These  statements  are  based on  current  beliefs  and
expectations. The development and  commercial potential of the  FIXFc
compound is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including
the potential safety and efficacy  profile of the FIXFc compound  and
the projected timeline and cost for completing clinical trials of the
FIXFc compound.  Drug development  and commercialization  involves  a
high degree of risk.

For more information please contact:

Biovitrum AB (publ)
Erik Kinnman, Vice President Investor Relations
Phone: +46 73 422 15 40
erik.kinnman@biovitrum.com

Martin Nicklasson, CEO
Phone. +46 8 697 20 00
martin.nicklasson@biovitrum.com

Biovitrum AB  (publ)  may be  required  to disclose  the  information
provided herein pursuant to the  Swedish Securities Markets Act.  The
information was provided for public  release on November 24, 2008  at
02:00 p.m. CET.