Biogen and Idec merged in 2003, combining forces to market Biogen's multiple sclerosis drug Avonex and Idec's cancer drug Rituxan. Today, Rituxan and next-generation antibody Gazyva (oncology) and Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) are marketed via a collaboration with Roche. Biogen markets several multiple sclerosis drugs including Plegridy, Tysabri, Tecfidera, and Vumerity. Biogen's newer products include Spinraza (SMA, with partner Ionis), Leqembi (Alzheimers, with partner Eisai), Skyclarys (Friedreich's Ataxia, Reata), Zurzuvae (postpartum depression, Sage), and Qalsody (ALS, Ionis). Biogen has several drug candidates in phase 3 trials in neurology, immunology, and rare diseases.

Biogen is a biotech company that develops, manufactures, and sells therapies for treating neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. The company is the market leader in multiple sclerosis drugs and launched the first approved treatments for spinal muscular atrophy and Alzheimer's disease. The company also sells products that treat plaque psoriasis, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lymphocytic leukemia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Current research continues on MS and has expanded to include neuroimmunology, ophthalmology, lupus, and other neuromuscular and movement disorders. Founded in 1978, the company is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, employs 7,570 people, and is a component of the S&P 500.

At midday Wednesday, the major benchmarks were broadly higher amid a softer consumer inflation print for April and lower bond yields. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in April, lower than the 0.4% consensus and matching the prior month's 0.3% increase. The year-over-year figure came in at 3.4%, in line with the consensus. Shelter inflation remained elevated in April, rising 5.5% on an annual basis, with higher interest rates making housing less affordable. Prices for gas and insurance also remained on the high side from the prior month, while consumers got some relief from falling prices for new and used cars as well as household furnishings. After three consecutive monthly consumer inflation readings above expectations, the April report is a reprieve, although the Federal Reserve has said it will be looking for a consistent trend toward the 2% annualized level before lowering interest rates. Elsewhere, the Department of Commerce reported that retail sales in April were flat with the prior month, below the 0.4% consensus and the prior month's 0.6% pace. Pulling out auto and gas sales, the figure actually declined 0.1%. Some of the culprits were non-store retailers and sporting goods/hobby stores, which saw declines around 1%. The report continues a recent string of softer economic reports, including less job creation in April, with consumers now moderating spending a bit.

Biogen and Idec merged in 2003, combining forces to market Biogen's multiple sclerosis drug Avonex and Idec's cancer drug Rituxan. Today, Rituxan and next-generation antibody Gazyva are marketed via a collaboration with Roche. Biogen also markets novel multiple sclerosis drugs Plegridy, Tysabri, Tecfidera, and Vumerity. In Japan, Biogen's MS portfolio is copromoted by Eisai. Hemophilia therapies Eloctate and Alprolix (partnered with Sobi) were spun off as part of Bioverativ in 2017. Biogen's newer products include Spinraza (SMA, with partner Ionis), Leqembi (Alzheimers, with partner Eisai), Skyclarys (Friedreich's Ataxia, Reata), Zurzuvae (post-partum depression, Sage), and Qalsody (ALS, Ionis). Biogen has several drug candidates in phase 3 trials in neurology-related fields.