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Biogen Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Growth Portfolio revenue rose 24%: Growth Portfolio revenue was $1.06 billion. Total revenue was $2.7 billion, up 3% year-over-year and up 2% at constant currency. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell on deal charges: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.66 against $4.33 a year earlier. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.60 against $5.47. The company linked the decline to acquired IPR&D and Apellis dilution. Source
  • SPINRAZA grew on high-dose demand: SPINRAZA revenue was $402 million, up 2%. High-dose demand and stocking were partly offset by shipment timing in some ex-U.S. markets. Source
  • Cost of sales ratio rose on mix: Non-GAAP cost of sales was 22% of total revenue, against 21% a year earlier. Management attributed the increase primarily to product mix. Source
  • R&D rose on clinical trial spend: Non-GAAP R&D expense was $490 million, against $394 million. Higher trial spend, Apellis operations and lower Royalty Pharma funding drove the increase. Source
  • Five registrational readouts planned: Management expects five registrational readouts from the late-stage pipeline over the next four quarters, as the company builds its growth drivers. Source
  • BIIB091 reached proof-of-concept: Phase 2 data for BIIB091 in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis showed proof-of-concept. The company will explore next steps for the asset. Source
  • Net debt of $6.8 billion: At June 30, 2026, cash was about $1.3 billion and total debt about $8.1 billion, leaving net debt of about $6.8 billion. Source

“This quarter is a reflection of the significant progress Biogen has made repositioning the company for long-term growth.”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Non-GAAP diluted EPS, underlying Sourcefull year 2026$15.85 to $16.85Raised from $15.25 to $16.25
Non-GAAP diluted EPS, reported Sourcefull year 2026$12.00 to $13.00Lowered from $14.25 to $15.25
Acquired IPR&D and milestone charges, effect on Non-GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026~($3.00)Lowered from ~($1.00)
Apellis acquisition dilution to Non-GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefull year 2026approximately $0.85New
Combined Non-GAAP R&D and Non-GAAP SG&A expense Sourcesecond half 2026$2.65 billion to $2.70 billionNew
Transaction run rate synergies Sourceexiting 2027at least $250 millionNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 guidance was updated to reflect higher underlying business performance, adjusted for completed and expected transactions and milestones. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Reported full-year 2026 Non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance was lowered after acquired IPR&D, milestone and Apellis dilution effects were included. Source
  • New: The Apellis acquisition closed on May 14, 2026, adding SYFOVRE and EMPAVELI to the company's revenue. Source
  • New: A pending acquisition of RayThera is expected to add immunology programs, including a lead program now in Phase 1. Source
  • New: Biogen exercised its option to license BIIB147 from Ionis and paid a $15 million one-time license fee, recorded in acquired IPR&D. Source
  • New: Diranersen showed proof-of-concept in Alzheimer's disease, and Biogen plans to advance the asset to Phase 3. Source

Revenue and earnings per share

  • Growth Portfolio revenue rose 24%: Growth Portfolio revenue was $1.06 billion. Total revenue was $2.7 billion, up 3% year-over-year and up 2% at constant currency. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell on deal charges: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.66 against $4.33 a year earlier. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.60 against $5.47. The company linked the decline to acquired IPR&D and Apellis dilution. Source
  • Tax rates rose on Apellis costs: GAAP effective tax rate was 26.4% and Non-GAAP was 17.2%, against 14.7% and 13.5% a year earlier. The GAAP increase came from non-deductible Apellis expenses. Source
  • Net income fell on both bases: GAAP net income attributable to Biogen was $97.5 million, against $634.8 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP net income was $536.2 million, against $802.5 million. Source

Growth Portfolio product sales

  • SPINRAZA grew on high-dose demand: SPINRAZA revenue was $402 million, up 2%. High-dose demand and stocking were partly offset by shipment timing in some ex-U.S. markets. Source
  • SKYCLARYS grew on European launch: SKYCLARYS revenue was $168 million, up 29%, mostly from the continued launch in Europe and certain other international markets. Source
  • ZURZUVAE launched in Germany: ZURZUVAE revenue was $71 million, up 53%. It is now launched in Germany, the first commercial launch outside the U.S. for the product. Source
  • LEQEMBI in-market sales rose: LEQEMBI global in-market sales were $184 million, up 15%. U.S. in-market sales were $97 million, described as continued sequential growth. Source
  • VUMERITY declined on inventory: VUMERITY revenue was $197 million, down 7%, which management attributed mainly to inventory dynamics. First-half VUMERITY revenue grew 7%. Source
  • SYFOVRE reached its strongest demand: SYFOVRE revenue was $162 million for the full quarter, up 8%. EMPAVELI revenue was $46 million, up 123%, driven by demand growth. Source

“As we enter a period of registrational data readouts beginning this year, we are realizing our vision for the New Biogen”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Segments and regions

  • Legacy MS held up on TYSABRI: Legacy MS portfolio revenue was $767 million. Total MS product revenue was $963 million, down 13% from $1,107 million. Source
  • Rare disease revenue rose 11%: Rare disease product revenue was $602 million, up 11% from $543 million. The segment includes SPINRAZA, SKYCLARYS and QALSODY. Source
  • Biosimilars revenue declined: Biosimilars revenue was $153 million, down 16%, or 20% at constant currency. Rest-of-world sales made up nearly all of it. Source
  • U.S. product sales rose, ex-U.S. fell: U.S. product revenue was $1,114.5 million, against $941.1 million. Rest-of-world product revenue was $801.9 million, against $937.6 million. Source
  • Royalties from anti-CD20 and OCREVUS: Revenue from anti-CD20 therapeutic programs was $514 million, up 10%. Royalty revenue on OCREVUS was $381.4 million, against $353.8 million. Source
  • Alzheimer's collaboration revenue rose: Alzheimer's collaboration revenue was $63.7 million, up from $54.9 million. It includes Biogen's 50% share of LEQEMBI net revenue and cost of sales. Source

Costs and margins

  • Cost of sales ratio rose on mix: Non-GAAP cost of sales was 22% of total revenue, against 21% a year earlier. Management attributed the increase primarily to product mix. Source
  • R&D rose on clinical trial spend: Non-GAAP R&D expense was $490 million, against $394 million. Higher trial spend, Apellis operations and lower Royalty Pharma funding drove the increase. Source
  • SG&A rose with Apellis operations: Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $680 million, against $579 million. Apellis commercial and management operations and launch marketing drove the increase. Source
  • Acquired IPR&D expense was $164 million: Acquired IPR&D, upfront and milestone expense was $164 million, against $47 million a year earlier. Source
  • Restructuring charges added back: Restructuring and cost saving charges of $170.5 million were added back in the Non-GAAP reconciliation, against $7.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Collaboration profit sharing expense: Collaboration profit sharing was a net expense of about $69 million, including Samsung Bioepis and Supernus arrangements for ZURZUVAE. Source

“Not only did our growth portfolio revenue exceed that of our legacy MS portfolio, delivering 24% of year-over-year growth”

Christopher A. Viehbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer

Apellis acquisition effects

  • Dilution driven by deal financing: Management said the dilution is driven largely by lower interest income and higher interest expense tied to the transaction financing. Source
  • Transaction and integration costs rose: Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs were $28.2 million in the quarter, against $2.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • SYFOVRE and EMPAVELI came with Apellis: The product table notes that EMPAVELI and SYFOVRE were obtained as part of the Apellis acquisition completed in May 2026. Source

Pipeline and clinical programs

  • Five registrational readouts planned: Management expects five registrational readouts from the late-stage pipeline over the next four quarters, as the company builds its growth drivers. Source
  • BIIB091 reached proof-of-concept: Phase 2 data for BIIB091 in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis showed proof-of-concept. The company will explore next steps for the asset. Source
  • Early-stage pipeline building continues: Management said it is continuing to build the early-stage pipeline, aiming for long-term value rather than near-term readouts. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Free cash flow of $408 million: Net cash from operations was about $449 million and capital expenditures about $41 million, giving free cash flow of about $408 million. Source
  • Net debt of $6.8 billion: At June 30, 2026, cash was about $1.3 billion and total debt about $8.1 billion, leaving net debt of about $6.8 billion. Source
  • Other expense driven by interest: GAAP other expense was about $19 million, mainly net interest expense partly offset by unrealized gains on equity securities. Non-GAAP other expense was about $60 million. Source
  • Diluted share count about 149 million: Weighted average diluted shares for the second quarter were about 149 million. Source

Guidance basis and exclusions

  • GAAP guidance not provided: Biogen gives guidance only for Non-GAAP measures and revenue, because it cannot predict with reasonable certainty certain transaction, impairment and litigation items. Source
  • Foreign exchange assumption: Guidance assumes exchange rates as of July 24, 2026 hold for the rest of the year, net of hedging activities. Source
  • More financial detail on the call: Management said other important financial considerations would be provided on the conference call and webcast. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 July 2026

  • Litifilimab SLE data by year-end: Registrational data for litifilimab in SLE are expected by the end of 2026. Source
  • Three Phase 3 readouts next year: Additional Phase 3 readouts for litifilimab in CLE, felzartamab in AMR and zorevunersen in Dravet syndrome are anticipated next year. Source
  • Felzartamab Graves' study to start: Initiation of a new Phase 2 study of felzartamab in Graves' disease is expected. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
SPINRAZA revenue Source$402 million
VUMERITY revenue Source$197 million
LEQEMBI global in-market sales Source$184 million
SKYCLARYS revenue Source$168 million
ZURZUVAE revenue Source$71 million
SYFOVRE revenue Source$162 million
EMPAVELI revenue Source$46 million
Non-GAAP R&D expense Source$489.5 million
FDA approval, LEQEMBI IQLIK Sourceapproved as an initiation dose
BIIB091 Phase 2 readout Sourceproof-of-concept achieved

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management flagged possible charges, gains, losses or other events in 2026 that could change the assumptions behind its guidance. Source
  • Regulatory: Guidance excludes possible healthcare reform, pending or future litigation, and further acquired IPR&D charges, which management says are difficult to predict. Source
  • Demand: VUMERITY revenue declined in the quarter, which management attributed mainly to inventory dynamics. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said the transaction remains on track to be accretive to Non-GAAP diluted EPS in 2027. Source
  • Ahead: Management said conversion to the SPINRAZA high-dose regimen is ahead of company expectations in all launched geographies. 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.