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Biogen, Ionis End ALS Program; Ionis Will Advance Angelman Asset Alone

Long-Time Partners Decide Fate Of Two Drugs

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Development has ended for BIIB105 in ALS after it failed to clear a crucial biomarker and show clinical benefit. Also, Biogen opted not to advance ION582 for Angelman syndrome, so Ionis will go it alone.

Illustration of abstract neuron on a blue background
Ionis will bolster its in-house neurology portfolio with wholly-owned ION582 • Source: Shutterstock

Long-time collaborators Biogen, Inc. and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced updates for two programs in mid-stage clinical development on 16 May, reporting that they will end development of BIIB105 after the drug failed in a Phase I/II clinical trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ionis also revealed updated results from a Phase I/IIa trial of ION582 (BIIB121) in Angelman syndrome and said it will take the drug into Phase III on its own after Biogen opted out of the program.

Key Takeaways

  • Biogen and Ionis will discontinue development of BIIB105 for ALS after the drug failed to provide clinical benefit in a Phase I/II study.

  • ...

Both companies traded lower on the updates, with Biogen closing down 2.2% at $230.04 per share and Ionis ending the day down 4.1% at $37.62. Nevertheless, analysts largely cheered the...

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