Key Takeaways
- Biogen has ceased all gene therapy programs utilizing AAV capsids, reallocating resources to more promising treatment modalities.
- A workforce reduction impacted 20 employees, while many others were reassigned within the company.
- Biogen’s decision mirrors similar moves by other big pharma companies, including Roche and Takeda, which have also moved away from AAV capsid development.
Strategic Shift in Biogen’s Research Focus
Biogen has officially terminated all gene therapy initiatives that employ adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids. This decision follows a strategic reallocation of resources aimed at enhancing treatment outcomes in its research and development (R&D) pipeline. According to Jane Grogan, Ph.D., Biogen’s head of research, the company is committed to focusing on modalities with the greatest potential for improved patient outcomes.
In previous moves, Biogen had already deprioritized early-stage gene therapies in 2023 as part of its ongoing R&D restructuring. This latest shift indicates a firm commitment to redirect resources towards initiatives with a higher probability of success.
While many team members formerly engaged in AAV capsid research were reassigned within the organization, the decision ultimately led to the layoffs of approximately 20 employees involved in research, pharmaceutical operations, and technology roles. This follows prior workforce reductions earlier this year aimed at enhancing the company’s drug discovery capabilities.
Historically, AAV capsids have been integral for transporting gene therapies into target cells and have been successfully used in established treatments like Novartis’ Zolgensma and Luxturna by Spark and Roche. Although AAV technology offers advantages like long-term expression and relative stability, it presents significant production costs and safety concerns, including liver toxicity. For example, Zolgensma is currently one of the most expensive drugs in the U.S., priced at $2.3 million per dose, and cannot be re-dosed.
Biogen’s withdrawal from AAV technology aligns it with other pharmaceutical leaders like Roche, Takeda, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which have similarly scaled back their AAV capsid initiatives over the past year. In addition, Pfizer has abandoned all gene therapy projects altogether.
This trend highlights a broader industry shift away from AAV capsid technology as companies seek alternatives with better safety profiles and cost-effectiveness to improve patient access to novel therapies. Biogen remains committed to advancing treatments in rare and genetic diseases, pursuing avenues with the highest scientific promise for future drug development.
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