From CNBC:

Biogen is discontinuing the sale and development of its controversial Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, in order to focus on treating the memory-robbing disease. The company will shift its efforts to Leqembi, a newly approved Alzheimer’s drug, and developing experimental treatments for the disease.

The U.S. FDA approved Aduhelm in 2021, but controversy surrounded the decision due to concerns about the drug’s risks versus benefits. The federal Medicare program severely restricted access to Aduhelm, limiting its sales potential, and a congressional investigation later alleged irregularities in the FDA’s approval process.

Biogen’s decision to drop Aduhelm was stated to be unrelated to safety or efficacy concerns. The company will discontinue sales of the drug, taking a one-time charge of $60 million for ending the Aduhelm program in the fourth quarter. Neurimmune, the Swiss company that invented the drug, will regain full rights to the medicine.

Biogen is also terminating a post-approval clinical trial on Aduhelm and redistributing resources to the rest of its Alzheimer’s drug portfolio. Among the other drugs in development is BIIB080, which targets a toxic protein called tau in the brain and has shown favorable trends in a small study.



Read more: Biogen drops Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm to focus on Leqembi, others