Within the first few minutes of a key opinion leader webinar on Alzheimer's disease sponsored by AC Immune SA, CEO Andrea Pfeifer brought up the decision by Biogen Inc. to file for regulatory approval of amyloid beta targeter aducanumab in early AD, based on results from a subset of patients in the phase III study called Engage.
SAN FRANCISCO – Investor sentiment around Biogen Inc.'s plan to soon seek approval for aducanumab in Alzheimer's disease yielded a clear bold reaction in its rising share price Tuesday. But a more nuanced reading was floated during a CNS panel at the BIO Investor Forum the day after, where a focus on new modalities and a call for open-mindedness carried the conversation. "It almost doesn't matter what investors think," said Ellen Lubman, a panelist and chief business officer of Impel Neuropharma Inc. "The reality is that if truly there's a percentage of people getting a benefit from the drug... that's the reason we're all in this business."
Biogen Inc.'s decision to file for approval early next year of beta-amyloid-targeting aducanumab (adu) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on fresh analysis of a bigger phase III dataset juiced the stock and induced shock at the same time, as Wall Street pressed company officials for details on their rationale behind the move.
