Biogen spokesperson: A small number of roles within the research organization have been eliminated

Biogen has announced the elimination of a small number of roles within its research organization as part of ongoing efforts to streamline operations and refocus resources. The changes, first reported by Endpoints News, are intended to align the research team with a prioritized preclinical portfolio and to shift resources toward external innovation opportunities. A company spokesperson emphasized that the reductions are part of a broader strategy to "reinvigorate drug discovery capabilities".

Jane Grogan, who took over as head of research in October 2023, has been leading this strategic reassessment. Grogan, previously chief scientific officer at Graphite Bio, has pledged to operate with startup agility. The workforce reductions follow a year-long evaluation of Biogen’s research capabilities and reflect the company’s response to evolving biotech.

The changes are part of a larger cost-cutting initiative that began in July 2023, which included the elimination of approximately 1,000 jobs, or 11% of the company’s workforce. Biogen continues to face pressure from investors to deliver growth, particularly as its Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi has struggled to meet commercial expectations. Despite these challenges, the company recently received regulatory acceptance for higher-dose Spinraza, offering a positive development for its pipeline.