Christopher Viehbacher on tariffs
From Biogen Inc ($BIIB) Q1 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“Even if we lost the exemption and all of those tariffs that were announced by the US administration on April 22nd were to actually not only come into being but also apply to pharmaceuticals, this would still not affect our 2025 financial outlook. That's partly because of the long supply chains we have. It's partly because and I have to credit our supply chain team. They've built in levels of inventory, not just of products, but also of different ingredients and materials because again, this is a highly complex area, but just structurally, you know, we are more of a US-based company and and always have been and and actually we're quite proud of that.”
On , Christopher Viehbacher, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Biogen, spoke about tariffs during Biogen Inc ($BIIB) Q1 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About Christopher Viehbacher
On Biogen's first quarter 2025 earnings call, Christopher Viehbacher described the company as "a tale of two companies," noting that its multiple sclerosis portfolio has been "gradually declining" while a "new Biogen" is emerging. He stated that the company's actively promoted commercial portfolio, including rare disease drugs and Alzheimer's treatments, now accounts for about 45% of product revenue. Viehbacher called Leqembi "the first disease modifying agent that has ever been approved in Alzheimer's" and said that having regulatory endorsement is "extremely important." Viehbacher said Biogen does not expect a material impact in 2025 from potential tariffs, even if the pharmaceutical exemption were removed, citing U.S.-based manufacturing and global inventory positions. He noted that Biogen is open to partnering on excess manufacturing capacity, mentioning that its Solothurn facility is doing contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business and that its Research Triangle Park facility already manufactures for third parties. He also stated that Biogen has a goal of signing four to five new research collaborations in 2025.