SEATTLE, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Waggener Edstrom Inc.'s (WE) global Bioscience and Healthcare Practice today announced it has expanded its portfolio with four new clients. Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biogen Idec Inc., Heidelberg Engineering GmbH and OXiGENE Inc. have selected Waggener Edstrom to develop diverse communications programs highlighting the companies’ innovative science and product development initiatives.
“Waggener Edstrom actively seeks clients that are engaged in innovative science and technology in the pursuit of improved healthcare outcomes,” said Jenny Moede, senior vice president of Bioscience and Healthcare at Waggener Edstrom. “We’re thrilled to work with such progressive companies, help them tell their stories and promote adoption of their new ideas and products.”
“The Waggener Edstrom team demonstrated a clear understanding of our business, as well as our competitive landscape, from the outset,” said Todd Young, M.D., vice president of Investor Relations and Communications at Angiotech Pharmaceuticals. “We look forward to working with them to reach our audiences with a clear and persuasive message.”
Deepening Ties With Healthcare and Bioscience Community
In addition, Waggener Edstrom announced that Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, a nonprofit cancer research organization, named Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO and president of Waggener Edstrom, to its board of directors. “I have long admired and supported the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s innovative approach to cancer research, early detection and patient care,” Waggener Zorkin said. “I’m honored to join the board and to even more actively support this vital organization’s mission.”
Long active with nonprofit organizations, Waggener Zorkin is also on the board of directors for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the nation’s largest private funding source for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. These affiliations help to deepen Waggener Edstrom’s understanding of the medical and healthcare industries and how key organizations play a significant role in improving healthcare.
Deep Understanding Leads to Global Impact
Waggener Edstrom’s Innovation Communications(SM) methodology helps companies build trust and acceptance for new ideas, research and discovery, as well as develop stronger market presence.
The agency’s Bioscience and Healthcare Practice has grown rapidly during the past several years, including an expanded presence in Washington, D.C. The team works with global clients representing all points along the discovery, development and clinical healthcare delivery continuum in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, device and diagnostics industries. To drive all communication efforts for these clients, the team has developed successful relationships with a broad scope of influentials including media, analysts, investors and government agencies.
About Angiotech Pharmaceuticals
Vancouver, Canada-based Angiotech Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company pioneering the combination of pharmaceutical compounds with medical devices and biomaterials to both create novel solutions for poorly addressed disease states and dramatically improve surgical outcomes.
About Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology, neurology and immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel therapies, Biogen Idec transforms scientific discoveries into advances in human healthcare. Total revenues in 2004 exceeded $2.2 billion.
About Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
Headquartered near Heidelberg, Germany, this privately held company is the leader in light-based diagnostics for ophthalmic applications and has the world’s largest installed base of laser imaging equipment. The company designs, manufactures and markets a variety of diagnostic instruments for application in retina, glaucoma and cornea diseases.
About OXiGENE
OXiGENE is an emerging pharmaceutical company developing novel small- molecule therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases. The Company’s major focus is the clinical advancement of drug candidates that selectively disrupt abnormal blood vessels associated with solid tumor progression and visual impairment. OXiGENE is dedicated to leveraging its intellectual property position and therapeutic development expertise to bring life saving and enhancing medicines to patients. Its lead candidate, CA4P, is currently being evaluated in nine ongoing clinical trials in oncology and a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of myopic macular degeneration.
About Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In addition, researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit www.fhcrc.org.
About Waggener Edstrom
Waggener Edstrom provides strategic communications to companies via Innovation Communications. Optimized for businesses impacted by innovation and change, this communications approach helps pave the path for the acceptance of new ideas and helps clients tell the stories that alter the way people think, act, and buy on both a global and regional basis. Founded in 1983, the agency has grown to nearly 600 employees with U.S. headquarters in Seattle, European headquarters in London and Asian headquarters in Hong Kong. Waggener Edstrom partners with innovative clients, including Affymetrix, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), MasterCard International, Microsoft Corp., T-Mobile USA and Tripos.
Waggener Edstrom
CONTACT: press only: Deb Sommer of Waggener Edstrom, +1-425-638-7000 ordeborahs@wagged.com
