Neuroscience Biopharma

Biogen

Biogen is a pioneer in the biology of neurodegenerative diseases, with more than four decades of focus on conditions including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Alzheimer's disease. Founded from a 1978 collaboration between academic scientists including Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, the Cambridge-based company has maintained close ties to the research community. Biogen's portfolio includes interferon-beta formulations, natalizumab, and nusinersen — a landmark antisense oligonucleotide therapy for SMA. Academic collaborators gain access to patient data sets, genetic biobank resources, and the company's CNS drug discovery platforms. Biogen funds the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and multiple university consortia studying tau pathology and synapse biology.