R&D Expertise

Our Research & Development Expertise

At the forefront of biotech innovation, Biogen’s Research and Development engine is powered by a global team of more than 1,300 experts united by a singular mission: to untangle the complex biology of hard-to-treat diseases and develop breakthrough medicines for patients in need.

Anchored in human disease biology, our teams discover, source, develop, and support access to medicines that hold the potential to change lives.

As key drivers of Biogen’s transformation, we combine internal drug development expertise with the most promising external scientific breakthroughs to build and advance a diverse pipeline. Partnerships are fundamental to how we discover, develop and deliver the next generation of medicines. Our teams are continually assessing internal and external investment opportunities at all stages to fuel our pipeline in the long-term.

Fueled by passion and purpose, we reinvest approximately $2 billion annually from the sales of our commercialized products into our R&D engine, accelerating innovation in neurology, immunology, and rare diseases.

Research at Biogen: Drug Architects & Drug Hunters

Our Researchers strive to translate science into breakthrough medicines, operating under an open innovation model to deliver a pipeline of high-value medicines fueled by the best ideas from both inside our labs and external partners.

Our ‘drug hunters’ lead disease area strategy and identify high-value targets with precision and purpose. Complementing this, our ‘drug architects’ bring world-class capabilities in modality selection, translational science, biomarker discovery and development, and safety pharmacology. Together, these teams guide the advancement of the most promising candidates from preclinical to marketed stages.

Our preclinical portfolio is powered by rigorous experimentation and data-driven decision-making, aligned to disease area roadmaps and franchise strategies. Clearly defined milestones, budgets, and timelines support scientific excellence and operational agility.

At the forefront of biomedical innovation, our research organization is seamlessly integrated across development, manufacturing, and commercial partners to accelerate the delivery of transformative medicines to patients worldwide.

Drug Development at Biogen: From Promise to Impact

Our Development organization drives our pipeline from first-in-human studies to deliver medicines to patients that impact health globally. With deep scientific and drug development expertise and a relentless focus on execution, we’re transforming how medicines reach patients.

Our team is equipped with specific capabilities that drive our pipeline, including:

Leading clinical development strategy, including innovative trial and endpoint design, benefit-risk, quality and clinical pharmacology considerations
Global Medical expertise, powering patient-oriented evidence worldwide, support for patients and early access programs, and engagement with specialists
Highly advanced clinical operations and execution, including global reach and coordination
Proven global regulatory expertise, including experience with worldwide expedited pathways
An embedded commitment to health equity
Leveraging artificial intelligence that has the potential to accelerate the drug development process

Diseases We're Tackling

Biogen is advancing a pipeline of potential breakthrough medicines in three focused areas of strength: neurology, immunology and rare diseases.

Immunology

Leveraging decades of learnings to develop novel therapies for immune-mediated disease where we see significant untapped potential

Biogen is a recognized pioneer in multiple sclerosis and an emerging leader in lupus—and we plan to develop the next generation of immune-mediating medicines that have potential applications across multiple indications.
We have six Phase 3 studies underway to evaluate novel medicines for immune-mediated diseases with high unmet needs.
We are developing the industry’s first-ever lupus franchise, with two Phase 3 lupus assets backed by strong clinical data. One of our programs is one of only three assets to achieve positive Phase 3 results in a global clinical study.
We are evaluating an anti-CD38 in three Phase 3 studies focused on different kidney diseases, each with high unmet need.
Since late 2024, we have executed three research collaborations intended to expand our work in early-stage immunology, and bring promising portfolio-in-a-pill assets into our portfolio.

Neurology

Leading in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions while growing our portfolio with innovative treatments

Biogen delivered the first ever approvals for treatments to help slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease.
We are relentlessly pursuing a multi-modality approach to Alzheimer’s disease, as well as advancing breakthroughs in other neurodegenerative, neuromuscular, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Our neurology portfolio includes six novel assets being developed across six indications (Alzheimer’s disease, Dravet syndrome, pediatric Friedreich ataxia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy).

Rare Diseases

Expanding our existing franchises and leveraging expertise that led to the development of the first treatments for Friedreich ataxia (FA) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

With five programs underway, Biogen is advancing a growing pipeline in rare diseases, built on the company’s core expertise in this space.
Since introducing the first treatment for SMA in 2016, we continue to advance potential new options for patients designed to improve clinical outcomes.
Our portfolio includes the first treatment for FA, and we are working to potentially bring a treatment option to people living with FA across all age groups.
We are advancing a late-stage program with the potential to be a first-in-class treatment for Dravet syndrome, a severe, pediatric epilepsy.

Explore Our Pipeline

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We combine our own drug development expertise with strategic external collaborations to accelerate innovation and bring potential transformative therapies to patients faster.

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