Biogen Inc (BIIB)

[XenaLives]

Biogen executives fend off Alzheimer's questions with pipeline promises, deal talk

by Arlene Weintraub | Jan 29, 2019 11:53am


Multiple sclerosis drug Tecfidera helped drive Biogen's strong fourth-quarter earnings, but investors are pressuring the company to strengthen its neuroscience pipeline. (Biogen)

If there’s one thing that prompts hand-wringing amongst Wall Street analysts who cover Biogen, it’s the company’s reluctance to present interim data from ongoing clinical trials of its closely watched Alzheimer’s drugs.

That anxiety was on full display Tuesday after Biogen's fourth-quarter results hit—and no wonder: As Biogen's new numbers show, the company's flagship multiple sclerosis portfolio is struggling to grow.

During the conference call following the company’s fourth-quarter results, analysts were particularly worried about Biogen’s phase 3 Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab. If an interim analysis shows signs of “futility,” that would need to be disclosed, because it’s considered material information, one analyst suggested. Isn’t Roche expected to disclose data on a rival Alzheimer’s drug candidate soon, another analyst asked, and how might that affect Biogen?

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/alzheimer-s-pipeline-concerns-steal-spotlight-from-biogen-s-strong-q4-results