Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB) built itself into a biotech giant thanks to its portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs -- but in biotech and pharma, revenue growth depends on the life of a patent. Once a company loses exclusivity, generics or biosimilars enter the market, and the leader's drug sales decline. This is the challenge Biogen has faced in recent years, as MS blockbusters faced growing competition.
But the biotech giant put into place a recovery and growth plan, shifting many costs out of the MS franchise and into areas that represented growth potential. Biogen also made strategic acquisitions, announcing its intention to buy Apellis Pharmaceuticals, an immunology and rare diseases drug company, in March and closing the deal in May.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
And just recently, Biogen announced another purchase. This time, the biotech is paying $1 billion for a company that won't say what it makes. Here's why this actually is good news for Biogen investors.
Let's start with a quick update on Biogen. As mentioned, the biotech company was once known as an MS giant, and it still sells a number of important MS drugs, such as Tecfidera and Tysabri. But loss of exclusivity made a significant dent in revenue, with Tecfidera's peak sales of $4.4 billion in 2019 dropping to $1.4 billion in 2022. In the latest fiscal year, all of Biogen's MS drugs, together, delivered $4 billion in revenue, further highlighting this decline.
But the biotech giant put into place a recovery and growth plan, shifting many costs out of the MS franchise and into areas that represented growth potential. Biogen also made strategic acquisitions, announcing its intention to buy Apellis Pharmaceuticals, an immunology and rare diseases drug company, in March and closing the deal in May.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
And just recently, Biogen announced another purchase. This time, the biotech is paying $1 billion for a company that won't say what it makes. Here's why this actually is good news for Biogen investors.
Let's start with a quick update on Biogen. As mentioned, the biotech company was once known as an MS giant, and it still sells a number of important MS drugs, such as Tecfidera and Tysabri. But loss of exclusivity made a significant dent in revenue, with Tecfidera's peak sales of $4.4 billion in 2019 dropping to $1.4 billion in 2022. In the latest fiscal year, all of Biogen's MS drugs, together, delivered $4 billion in revenue, further highlighting this decline.
4 months ago
