Sharp says that in the early stages of the company, the founding members drew upon their own scientific discoveries and know-how to formulate techniques and potential products for research use and development.
"We wanted to do things that had not been done before," Sharp says. "There was a whole series of scientists whose research programs were producing these new technologies."
Although Biogen was founded in Europe, Cambridge was a natural choice for the company's U.S. headquarters, Sharp notes.
"Because of the concentration of research scientists who are present here in the greater Boston area and in Cambridge, it has proven to be the case that it is easier to recruit outstanding people here and to retain them," he says.
The proximity of different biotechnology companies to each other and to the universities has also helped to foster and promote the beneficial exchange of technology and know-how, Sharp says.
"It is easier to meet someone across the street than it is in Philadelphia or London," he says.
Changing Face of the Industry
Although a core group of biotechnology companies now exists, sharp says new companies, which focus on specific new technologies, continue to develop.
The concentration of many biotechnology companies in this area has led to the existence of a spectrum of companies with different product foci.