Biogen
NEWS
With a potential $509 billion up for grabs by 2028, companies including Biogen, Sage, Karuna Therapeutics and Cerevel Therapeutics are vying to bring their drugs across the regulatory finish line.
The FDA approved Sage and Biogen’s zuranolone Friday as the first oral medication for postpartum depression but declined to approve the application in major depressive disorder.
A transformational moment in the treatment of depression, GSK takes first shot in a vaccine patent war with Pfizer, a Louisiana woman sues Novo Nordisk and Lilly, and companies face a steep COVID-19 cliff.
Partners Biogen and Sage Therapeutics had sought approval for the therapy in both postpartum depression and major depressive disorder, but the FDA rejected the application for the latter.
Biogen’s $7.3 billion Reata acquisition and layoffs dominated this week’s news, while BMS and Roche reported second-quarter earnings and BioSpace looked at 12 late-stage neuro companies.
Following a sweeping cost-cutting plan announced earlier this week, including an 11% workforce reduction, Biogen is acquiring Reata Pharmaceuticals to bolster its neurological and rare disease pipeline.
With partner Biogen mum on zuranolone’s prospects as an FDA August 5 review deadline approaches, Sage Therapeutics’ stock fell Wednesday to its lowest level in months.
The biotech’s “Fit for Growth” program, which includes the headcount reduction, is expected to generate a net savings of $700 million on operating expenses by 2025.
With Eisai and Biogen’s Leqembi now fully approved, researchers are exploring combinations—including with therapies targeting tau and microglial function—that could increase its effectiveness.
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