Biogen Inc. (previously known as Biogen Idec) is an American multinational biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the discovery, development, and delivery of therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative, hematologic, and autoimmune diseases to patients worldwide.
Biogen was founded in 1978 in Geneva by several prominent biologists, including Kenneth Murray of the University of Edinburgh, Phillip Allen Sharp of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Walter Gilbert of Harvard (who served as CEO during the start-up phase), Heinz Schaller, University of Heidelberg and Charles Weissmann, University of Zurich (who contributed the first product interferon alpha). Gilbert and Sharp were subsequently honoured with Nobel Prizes: Gilbert was recognized in 1980 with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in understanding DNA sequencing, while Sharp received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1993 for his discovery of split genes.
In 2003, Biogen merged with San Diego, California-based IDEC Pharmaceuticals (formed in 1986 by biotech pioneers Ivor Royston, Howard Birndorf and Robert E. Sobol) and adopted the name Biogen Idec. After the merger, Biogen Idec became the 3rd largest Biotechnology company in the world. Following shifts in research core areas, the company has since shortened its name, reverting to simply Biogen.[4] Biogen stock is a component of several stock indices such as the S&P 100, S&P 500, S&P 1500, and NASDAQ-100 and the company is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol, BIIB.
In May 2006, the company announced it would acquire cancer specialist, Conforma Therapeutics for $250 million.[6] Later in the same month, the company announced its intention to acquire Fumapharm AG, consolidating ownership of Fumaderm and BG-12, an oral fumarate, which is being studied for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis.
In January 2007, the company announced it would acquire Syntonix Pharmaceuticals for up to $120 million, gaining Syntonix’s lead product for haemophilia B as well as the technology for developing inhalable treatments.
In February 2013, Bloomberg broke the news that Biogen was planning the pay Elan $3.25 billion for the full rights to Tysabri, used to treat multiple sclerosis.
In January 2015 the company announced it will acquire Convergence Pharmaceuticals for up to $675 million, with the acquisition aiming to accelerate the development of Convergence’s pipeline, in-particular CNV1014802 – a Phase II small molecule sodium channel blocking candidate.[11] In October 2015 the company announced it will lay off 11% of its workforce, effective immediately.
Biogen’s managing director for Spain, Sergio Teixeira, reflects on the company’s key role in transforming multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy as examples of the American biotech giant commitment to…
Biogen’s manager for the Middle East, Africa, Russia & CIS, Turkey (MART), Ajai Sulekh, discusses the company’s five-pillar strategy to expand its footprint in the region, the importance of its…
Tashia Lentz of Biogen outlines what she sees as an increasingly tough market access environment for new treatments in Denmark and calls for greater stakeholder openness to innovative pricing schemes.…
Biogen Switzerland’s Dr med Katharina Gasser outlines how her affiliate navigated the COVID-19 pandemic from an organisational and communication perspective, the increasing importance being given to mental health by the…
Antonella Santuccione Chadha*, Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Alzheimer’s disease at Biogen and co-founder and CEO of the Women’s Brain Project, dives into the non-profit organization’s role in rethinking the…
Biogen Switzerland’s Dr Katharina Gasser outlines how the company’s 100 percent commitment to neuroscience helps it to stand apart, why Switzerland will continue to play a vital role in Biogen’s…
Biogen Mexico’s Luis Calderon discusses establishing the affiliate, the opportunities apparent in the Mexican neurodegenerative disease market, and the impact of the country’s ongoing health reforms. In my experience,…
Martin Dubuc, general manager of Biogen France, discusses the company’s strong leadership in neurosciences, its commitment to pioneering the high-risk field despite the withdrawal of many industry players, the strategy…
Terry O’Regan, VP and managing director at Biogen UK and Ireland, discusses the company’s longstanding commitment to the UK, market access issues, and why Biogen is staying the course with…
At the company’s 40th anniversary, Biogen’s Canadian head Marina Vasiliou gives an insight into her priorities as new managing director, her approach to building relationships with all stakeholders in the…
Sameer Savkur, country manager of Biogen Brazil, provides insights into the key specificities of the Brazilian pharmaceutical ecosystem and documents the great successes of Biogen affiliate in working hand-in-hand with…
Biogen Slovakia’s Country Director on being an innovative global biotech in Slovakia, market access in the country, and the company’s commitment to improving the lives of patients through MS, Alzheimer’s…
MD Natascha Schill discusses the growing importance and commitment that Biogen has to Switzerland, including a USD one billion investment in new facilities and the creation of 400 jobs in…
Michaela Hrdlickova of Biogen elaborates on how it is the industry’s responsibility to educate all stakeholders within the Czech Republic in order to embed a health consciousness in every individual…
The President and MD of Abiogen Pharma discusses his family company’s recent milestones, the reasons for persisting with local manufacturing, and the benefits of international partnerships. You created Abiogen back…
Having experienced many years at big pharmaceutical companies, you moved into the biotech sector by joining Biogen Idec late 2010. What made you decide to switch? To me, it was…
Ms. Hrdličková, can you please begin by introducing yourself to our readers, and providing a brief overview of your pharmaceutical career? My educational background is in general and molecular biology,…
You have been here in China for about a year. What were your assumptions about China before you arrived and were things more or less what you thought they would…
Biogen Idec’s arrival in Argentina has been very recent. Could you explain to our readers why the time was right to take back your licences and to set up in…
When we spoke with Mr. Barbano at ANVISA, he mentioned RDC 55/10 and his hopes that it will do for the biologics market what the generics law of 1999 did…
You created Abiogen in 1997, following the acquisition of Istituto Gentili by MSD, in order to maintain your family’s entrepreneurial tradition, keeping building on the legacy of your great-grandfather Commendatore…
Having experienced many years at big pharmaceutical companies, you recently moved into the booming biotech sector by joining Biogen Idec in 2007. What made you make such a decision? The…
Eli Lilly recently revealed more than promising clinical trial results for its Alzheimer’s candidate, donanemab, showing that the drug slows Alzheimer’s by as much as 60 percent in mild cases.…
Big Pharma has been raging against the US’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ever since it was passed last year. Merck (MSD global) has recently taken its indignation a step further…
Speaking at the 2023 BIO International Convention Chris Viehbacher who joined Biogen as CEO only a few months ago, criticised the US’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), legislation that will allow…
Drs Neil Cashman and Larry Altstiel of ProMIS Neurosciences weigh in on recent progress towards an effective therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, potentially representing a break from three decades of scientific…
As of July 1st, long-term Merck alumni, Chirfi Guindo, will be returning to the company to lead Human Health Marketing as chief marketing officer for Merck Human Health and will…
Biogen’s managing director for Spain, Sergio Teixeira, reflects on the company’s key role in transforming multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy as examples of the American biotech giant commitment to…
With Biogen’s recent move to sell off its USD 2.3 billion stake in biosimilars firm Samsung Bioepis against the backdrop of lower-than-expected uptake of its controversial Alzheimer’s Disease drug Aduhelm, PharmaBoardroom…
Recent reportage from Global Data Research and Clinical Trials Arena has ranked the world’s leading biopharma companies best positioned to take advantage of future biosimilars disruption. The ranking considers the…
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is vast and is predominantly composed of emerging countries with varying levels of income and healthcare infrastructure. Here, three regional managers for pharma…
Biogen’s manager for the Middle East, Africa, Russia & CIS, Turkey (MART), Ajai Sulekh, discusses the company’s five-pillar strategy to expand its footprint in the region, the importance of its…
Long established as a premier early launch country for innovative medicines within Europe, the Danish market access system has become more complicated of late as the Danish Medicines Council –…
Tashia Lentz of Biogen outlines what she sees as an increasingly tough market access environment for new treatments in Denmark and calls for greater stakeholder openness to innovative pricing schemes.…
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