Biogen shifts focus from controversial alzheimer's drug aduhelm

Biogen has announced it will halt the production and marketing of Aduhelm, an Alzheimer's drug that has stirred up controversy due to conflicting data on its effectiveness. The FDA granted accelerated approval to the drug in 2021, pending a follow-up study confirming its benefits outweigh the risks. However, after an internal review, Biogen will redirect its resources towards other drug candidates and advancing Leqembi, another Alzheimer's drug it's marketing with Eisai, which received traditional FDA approval last year.

Shifting Focus

Biogen's president and CEO, Christopher A. Viehbacher, stated, "ADUHELM was that groundbreaking discovery that paved the way for a new class of drugs and reinvigorated investments in the field." Despite being hailed as breakthroughs in Alzheimer's care, both Aduhelm and Leqembi showed modest benefits for patients and potentially dangerous side effects. As a result, Medicare has limited coverage of Alzheimer's drugs with accelerated approval to only patients participating in a randomized clinical trial, of which none were enrolling.