Biogen’s early Phase 2 data supports tau-targeting Alzheimer’s approach

Biogen has released early Phase 2 results for its experimental Alzheimer’s therapy diranersen, indicating that reducing tau protein levels may lead to cognitive benefits.

The findings add to a long‑standing hypothesis that tau is a key driver of the disease, a concept that has faced many setbacks in the field, including Biogen’s own Aduhelm, which was pulled after a contentious FDA approval.

CEO Chris Viehbacher says the company remains cautious, treating the program as a high‑risk, high‑reward effort with a potential payoff around 2030 rather than betting the entire business on it.