Will Biogen’s Big Patent Victory Ease Investor Worries About Its Alzheimer’s Drug?

Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB) shares surged as much as 32% on Wednesday after the company won a patent challenge to its billion-dollar multiple sclerosis (MS) drug, Tecfidera. The stock finally closed 18% higher and has since gained 1.5%. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's patent trial and appeal board ruled in favor of Biogen in the case brought by generic-drug maker Mylan (NASDAQ: MYL). Unless an appeal by Mylan or other ongoing patent challenges results in a different ruling, this means Biogen can stave off Tecfidera competition until patent expiration in 2028.