Biogen is one of the most influential and controversial companies in modern biotechnology. Founded in the late 1970s by Nobel-level scientists who believed recombinant DNA would redefine medicine, Biogen helped turn neurology into a commercial field long before most pharma companies dared to enter it.
In this episode, we trace Biogen’s full journey, from its academic origins and the rise of interferon therapies for multiple sclerosis, to blockbuster drugs like Avonex and Tysabri. We explore the diseases Biogen chose to fight, why the company doubled down on neurology, and how its scientific culture shaped both its breakthroughs and its blind spots.
We then examine Biogen’s high-stakes pivot into Alzheimer’s disease, the controversy surrounding Aduhelm, and the cautious redemption attempt with Leqembi. Along the way, we highlight the people who built Biogen, the alumni who went on to shape the biotech industry, and the hard lessons learned when science, regulation, and patient hope collide.
This is a story about ambition, uncertainty, and what it really takes to develop medicines when the biology refuses to cooperate.
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every Thursday!
https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin
#Biogen #Biotech #Pharma #Neuroscience #Alzheimers #MultipleSclerosis #DrugDevelopment #LifeSciences #Biopharma #HealthcareInnovation #SciencePodcast #BusinessOfBiotech #MedicalResearch #PetriDishPerspectives
© 2026 Petri Dish Perspectives LLC. All rights reserved.
