Neuroscience Reaches A New Inflection Point, Big Biotechs Say

Jan 25 2017

• By Jessica Merrill

Listen to this article

Celgene and Biogen are investing in the challenging therapeutic area, fueled by advances in science, growing understanding of the role inflammation may play in neurodegenerative diseases and improved tools for measuring efficacy.

High quality 3d render of nerve cells, concept for Neurologic Diseases, tumors and brain surgery.

A new day is dawning for neuroscience, at least according to some big biotechs, who are investing aggressively in the challenging therapeutic area despite investor reservations. Biogen Inc. took on neuroscience as a core research area several years ago, and it appears the company is as committed to the space as ever under Exec VP-R&D Michael Ehlers, an experienced neuroscientist who took over the role in April. Now Celgene Corp. also has its eye on building a new neuroinflammation franchise.

Ehlers, Celgene CEO Mark Alles and others talked at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco Jan. 9-12 about...

More from Neurological

Evidence Growing For GLP-1s To Treat Alzheimer’s And Parkinson’s
Mar 10 2025
• By Andrew McConaghie
GLP-1 receptor agonists could play a big role in tackling neurodegeneration and a new academic study has raised expectations of Novo Nordisk’s latest semaglutide Phase III results
As More DLL3 Bispecifics Advance, Doctors Are Adjusting To CRS, ICANS
Mar 10 2025
• By Mandy Jackson
Amgen’s Imdelltra for small-cell lung cancer is one of two bispecific T-cell engagers approved for solid tumors, but data at the WCLC meeting show other DLL3-targeting BiTEs may be on the way.
Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide Shows Promise In Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Mar 10 2025
• By Andrew McConaghie
An academic study of GLP-1 agonist showed promise in patients with the painful skin condition but with no signs that the Danish drugmaker will pursue the indication, smaller players in the space may be interested.
Biogen Joins Molecular Glue Degrader Club with Neomorph Pact--Test-1
Dec 10 2024
• By Saba Afreen
As it posts third-quarter numbers that again reveal the decline of revenues from its multiple sclerosis portfolio, the US biotech major is entering into the hot area of targeted protein degradation to boost its immunology and neurology pipeline.

More from Therapeutic Category

Scrip Data Article Without An Author
Nov 19 2025
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..."
Spotlight On RDCs, AOCs As Leading Novel Bioconjugates[Updated]
Nov 12 2025
Pipelines in bioconjugates continue to develop, from ADCs to XDCs, with radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs) and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) leading the expansion.
Fosun ALK/ROS1 Inhibitor Shows 1L Promise In Advanced NSCLC
Nov 12 2025
Interim results from the Phase III REMARK study presented at WCLC showed the Chinese company’s second-generation ALK/ROS1 inhibitor met its primary endpoint as a first-line therapy in ALK-positive advanced NSCLC.