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Biogen Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 lowered, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue flat, non-GAAP EPS up 18%: Total revenue was $2,478 million, up 2% as reported and down 2% at constant currency. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.57 against $3.02, and GAAP diluted EPS was $2.15 against $1.64. Source
  • Growth products up 12%: Growth products grew 12% year-over-year, including Biogen's 50% share of LEQEMBI net revenue and cost of sales. Management attributed the growth to commercial execution. Source
  • Full-year EPS guidance lowered: The full-year 2026 Non-GAAP diluted EPS range is $14.25 to $15.25, down from $15.25 to $16.25 in February, which the company tied to about $1.00 of acquired IPR&D charges. Source
  • Litifilimab second Phase 2 CLE dataset positive: The second positive Phase 2 CLE dataset showed meaningful reduction of disease activity at Week 16. Management said litifilimab could be the first targeted therapy for this disease if approved. Source
  • Non-GAAP R&D rose on late-stage spend: Non-GAAP R&D expense was $480 million, up 13% from $427 million, driven by investment in litifilimab and felzartamab. GAAP R&D included about $57 million of SKYCLARYS inventory step-up amortization. Source
  • Apellis adds two medicines: The proposed Apellis acquisition adds commercialized medicines in immune-mediated retinal disease and nephrology. Management said it deepens the nephrology franchise, with felzartamab as the key Phase 3 kidney asset. Source
  • Felzartamab China rights added: Biogen agreed with TJ Biopharma to acquire exclusive rights to felzartamab in the Greater China region. Management described the region as potentially one of the largest IgAN patient populations globally. Source

“We significantly advanced our transformation into the New Biogen through strong commercial and pipeline execution and the announcement of our intent to acquire Apellis.”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Non-GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$14.25 to $15.25Lowered from $15.25 to $16.25
Acquired IPR&D charges in Non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull year 2026approximately $1.00 ($0.20 recorded in Q1, $0.80 expected in Q2)New
Non-GAAP effective tax rate Sourcefull year 2026between approximately 17% and 18%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: The full-year 2026 Non-GAAP diluted EPS range moved to $14.25 to $15.25 from $15.25 to $16.25, reflecting about $1.00 of acquired IPR&D charges. Source
  • New: Biogen announced a proposed acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals, which the company said adds commercialized medicines in immune-mediated retinal disease and nephrology. Source
  • New: Biogen agreed with TJ Biopharma to acquire exclusive rights to felzartamab in the Greater China region. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue flat, non-GAAP EPS up 18%: Total revenue was $2,478 million, up 2% as reported and down 2% at constant currency. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.57 against $3.02, and GAAP diluted EPS was $2.15 against $1.64. Source
  • Growth products up 12%: Growth products grew 12% year-over-year, including Biogen's 50% share of LEQEMBI net revenue and cost of sales. Management attributed the growth to commercial execution. Source
  • Full-year EPS guidance lowered: The full-year 2026 Non-GAAP diluted EPS range is $14.25 to $15.25, down from $15.25 to $16.25 in February, which the company tied to about $1.00 of acquired IPR&D charges. Source
  • Tax rate fell on settlement: The Non-GAAP effective tax rate was 15.3% against 19.4%. Management attributed the decrease to a foreign tax settlement and share-based award vesting, partly offset by higher U.S. taxation of foreign earnings. Source

Segments and product lines

  • MS revenue flat, TYSABRI adjustment helped: MS product revenue was $958 million against $953 million, down 3% at constant currency. TYSABRI included about $40 million from a favorable discounts and allowances adjustment and inventory timing in the U.S. Source
  • Rare disease down 1% reported: Rare disease revenue was $557 million against $563 million, down 1% as reported and 5% at constant currency. Source
  • Biosimilars and other lines: Biosimilars revenue was $182 million, up 1% as reported and down 7% at constant currency. Other product revenue rose to $55 million from $29 million. Source
  • Anti-CD20 and Alzheimer's collaboration rose: Anti-CD20 program revenue was $419 million, up 11%. Alzheimer's collaboration revenue was $60 million, up 80%. The OCREVUS royalty within anti-CD20 revenue was $317.2 million. Source
  • Contract manufacturing revenue down 16%: Contract manufacturing, royalty and other revenue fell 16% to $247 million. Management said the first quarter benefited from accelerated manufacturing activity. Source

“We believe the planned acquisition of Apellis will bolster our revenue and earnings growth, adding two differentiated commercial medicines and deepening the foundation for felzartamab, our key Phase 3 asset in kidney disease.”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Launches and inventory effects

  • ZURZUVAE sequential sales hit by inventory: ZURZUVAE revenue of $55 million was up 100% year-over-year. Management said sequential sales were affected by inventory dynamics. Source
  • VUMERITY growth aided by inventory: VUMERITY global revenue of $179 million grew 29% year-over-year. Management said inventory dynamics in the U.S. supported the growth. Source
  • QALSODY demand growth continued: QALSODY global revenue of $33 million was up 110% year-over-year, and management described continued demand growth. Source

Pipeline and clinical data

  • Litifilimab second Phase 2 CLE dataset positive: The second positive Phase 2 CLE dataset showed meaningful reduction of disease activity at Week 16. Management said litifilimab could be the first targeted therapy for this disease if approved. Source
  • Salanersen new motor milestones in SMA: Additional Phase 1b salanersen data showed new motor milestones in children with SMA whose clinical status was suboptimal after prior gene therapy. Source
  • LEQEMBI persistence near 78%: Real-world persistence data showed about 78% of patients continued LEQEMBI at 18 months, with most continuing into the maintenance phase. Source
  • SPINRAZA High Dose approved in U.S.: The FDA approved the SPINRAZA High Dose Regimen in the U.S., following approvals in Japan and the E.U. Source

“demonstrated continued resilience in our MS portfolio and reported important positive new data that reinforce our confidence in the late‑stage pipeline”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and expenses

  • Cost of sales up on product mix: Cost of sales as a share of total revenue rose to 25% on a Non-GAAP basis from 24%. Management said the increase was driven primarily by product mix. Source
  • Non-GAAP R&D rose on late-stage spend: Non-GAAP R&D expense was $480 million, up 13% from $427 million, driven by investment in litifilimab and felzartamab. GAAP R&D included about $57 million of SKYCLARYS inventory step-up amortization. Source
  • SG&A rose on launch investments: Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $600 million against $572 million. Management said the increase was primarily driven by investments to support product launches. Source
  • Collaboration profit sharing net $74 million: Collaboration profit sharing was a net expense of about $74 million, including about $57 million related to Samsung Bioepis and about $17 million related to Supernus for ZURZUVAE. Source
  • Acquired IPR&D $34 million in Q1: Acquired IPR&D, upfront and milestone expense was $34 million in the first quarter, compared with $201 million a year earlier. Source

Apellis and felzartamab deals

  • Apellis adds two medicines: The proposed Apellis acquisition adds commercialized medicines in immune-mediated retinal disease and nephrology. Management said it deepens the nephrology franchise, with felzartamab as the key Phase 3 kidney asset. Source
  • Felzartamab China rights added: Biogen agreed with TJ Biopharma to acquire exclusive rights to felzartamab in the Greater China region. Management described the region as potentially one of the largest IgAN patient populations globally. Source
  • Accretion expected in 2027: The Apellis transaction is expected to be accretive in 2027 and to materially increase the Non-GAAP diluted EPS compounded annual growth rate through the end of the decade. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow $594 million: Net cash from operations was about $646 million and capital expenditures about $51 million. Free cash flow was about $594 million, against $222 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net debt about $1.5 billion: At March 31, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were about $4.7 billion and total debt about $6.3 billion, giving net debt of about $1.5 billion. Source
  • Diluted shares near 148 million: Weighted-average diluted shares for the first quarter were about 148 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 April 2026

  • Apellis closing and Q2 guidance update: Management expects the Apellis transaction to close in the second quarter of 2026. Updated full-year 2026 guidance inclusive of Apellis is planned for the second-quarter earnings report. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
LEQEMBI global in-market sales Source$168 million
SKYCLARYS global revenue Source$151 million
ZURZUVAE revenue Source$55 million
VUMERITY global revenue Source$179 million
SPINRAZA global revenue Source$374 million
QALSODY global revenue Source$33 million
Non-GAAP R&D expense Source$480.0 million
Regulatory approval SourceSPINRAZA High Dose Regimen approved in the U.S.
Trial readout SourceSecond positive Phase 2 CLE dataset for litifilimab
Trial readout SourceAdditional Phase 1b salanersen data
LEQEMBI persistence at 18 months Sourceapproximately 78%

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The Apellis transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions. Source
  • Financial: The EPS guidance excludes any other future acquired IPR&D charges beyond the stated impact, as well as potential acquisitions and business development transactions. Source
  • Demand: Management expects further declines in MS product revenue excluding VUMERITY, partly offset by growth products. Source
  • Regulatory: The guidance excludes any impact of potential healthcare reform, which management described as difficult to predict. Source
  • Regulatory: Higher U.S. taxation of foreign earnings in 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act partly offset the tax-rate benefits. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.