Biogen’s Tau-Targeting Alzheimer’s Data Show Promise — and Raise Questions

Biogen’s tau-targeting antisense drug slowed cognitive decline about as much as amyloid-clearing therapies in mid-stage Alzheimer’s data — even as the trial missed its dose-response goal — and the FDA cleared an at-home starting dose for Leqembi the same day, putting Alzheimer’s at the center of a session that also extended a widening China licensing wave.

Today’s top developments:

• Biogen’s mid-stage “Celia” trial of BIIB080 (diranersen), a tau-targeting antisense drug, slowed decline more than placebo — the lowest dose showing 26% slowing on the CDR-SB scale, comparable to Leqembi’s 27% — though it missed its dose-response goal as Biogen advances the drug to Phase 3 (BioPharma Dive)
• The FDA cleared Leqembi Iqlik, a subcutaneous at-home starting dose of Eisai and Biogen’s lecanemab delivered by once-weekly autoinjector, removing the need to begin therapy with infusion-clinic visits and handing the partners a convenience edge over Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (Pharmaphorum)
• AstraZeneca licensed Dizal Pharma’s lung cancer therapy Zegfrovy in a deal worth up to $1.5 billion, extending its run of in-licensing late-stage oncology assets from Chinese biotechs (Pharmaphorum)
• Spero Therapeutics pivoted into immunology, licensing an anti-CD40L antibody from China’s Innovent Biologics for up to $1.1 billion and stepping decisively away from its legacy antimicrobial focus (Pharmaphorum)
• AI drug-discovery platform Chai Discovery closed a $400 million Series C at a $3.8 billion valuation — its third raise in 11 months — with Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Pfizer already among the companies using its models (Fierce Biotech)