Biogen’s Salanersen Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Rhea-AI Summary
Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced that the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to investigational antisense oligonucleotide salanersen for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The designation is supported by Phase 1b data in children with suboptimal response to prior gene therapy, showing motor function gains and reduced neurofilament levels. Salanersen is dosed once yearly and was generally well-tolerated. A global Phase 3 program, including STELLAR-1, STELLAR-2 and SOLAR, is underway or preparing to recruit across presymptomatic infants, teens and adults with SMA.
Positive
- FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for salanersen in SMA
- Phase 1b data show motor function improvements after once-yearly salanersen
- Evidence of slowed neurodegeneration via reduced neurofilament levels
- Salanersen generally well-tolerated in Phase 1b study
- Three global Phase 3 studies (STELLAR-1, STELLAR-2, SOLAR) planned or recruiting
- Regulatory recognition of potential substantial improvement over available SMA therapies
Negative
- Salanersen remains investigational with efficacy yet to be confirmed in Phase 3
- Current supporting data are from an exploratory Phase 1b analysis
- STELLAR-2 has not yet started recruitment as of June 2026
News Market Reaction – BIIB
On the day this news was published, BIIB gained 0.25%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | Conference participation | Neutral | -0.2% | Stoke Therapeutics announced June conference presentations for senior executives. |
| May 14 | Clinical trial update | Negative | -6.4% | Diranersen Phase 2 CELIA missed primary endpoint but showed biomarker and cognitive signals. |
| May 08 | Regulatory timeline | Neutral | +1.1% | FDA extended LEQEMBI IQLIK PDUFA date by three months without flagging approvability issues. |
| May 07 | Index & M&A update | Neutral | +1.1% | S&P index changes reflected Biogen’s pending acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals. |
| May 07 | Earnings & pipeline | Positive | +1.1% | Stoke Therapeutics reported solid cash position and progressing Phase 3 EMPEROR trial. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Recent Biogen news often prompts clear directional moves: mixed clinical data drew a sharper selloff, while regulatory and corporate updates saw modest gains. Only one recent event shows price diverging from a neutral headline.
Across recent news, Biogen balanced pipeline and corporate developments with financial stability. On May 14, mixed Phase 2 CELIA data for diranersen led to a -6.43% move despite plans to advance development. Regulatory updates around LEQEMBI, S&P index changes tied to the Apellis deal, and earnings-related items generally saw small positive reactions. Against this backdrop, the salanersen Breakthrough Therapy Designation adds another late‑stage neurology catalyst to an already active pipeline and M&A story.
Key Terms
breakthrough therapy designation regulatory
spinal muscular atrophy medical
antisense oligonucleotide medical
gene therapy medical
neurodegeneration medical
neurofilament medical
randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled medical
phase 3 medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Designation is supported by an exploratory analysis from the Phase 1b study showing that some children with SMA previously treated with gene therapy who had suboptimal clinical status experienced slowing of neurodegeneration and clinically meaningful improvements in motor function following initiation of salanersen
- Salanersen is an investigational antisense oligonucleotide dosed once-yearly with the potential to be a meaningful therapy in the future SMA treatment landscape
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted salanersen Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Breakthrough Therapy designation is a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy on a clinically significant endpoint(s). Salanersen is an investigational novel antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and has the potential to offer high efficacy in SMA with once-yearly dosing.
“The FDA’s designation of salanersen as a breakthrough therapy recognizes that there is continued unmet need in spinal muscular atrophy, and there is more that can be done for people impacted by the disease,” said Diana Castro, M.D., of the Neurology Rare Disease Center in Flower Mound, Texas. “In the Phase 1b study of salanersen, we saw unexpected improvements on exploratory endpoints in children previously dosed with gene therapy who gained critical functions, such as sitting and walking, after receiving salanersen. We are excited about the potential of salanersen and eager to help advance the Phase 3 program.”
The FDA’s decision is based on data from the Phase 1b study of salanersen, which were recently presented at the 2026 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical & Scientific Conference and the 5th International Scientific Congress on SMA (SMA Europe 2026). After initiation of once-yearly salanersen in children with SMA who had a suboptimal response to prior gene therapy, clinically meaningful improvements in motor function were observed as well as slowing of neurodegeneration, as measured by reduced neurofilament levels. Salanersen was generally well-tolerated in the study.
“This designation reflects the FDA's continued commitment to SMA and its recognition of the potential meaningful impact salanersen may offer,” said Kenneth Hobby, President of Cure SMA. “It affirms what our SMA community has recently communicated to the agency: urgent, unmet needs remain, and promising therapies deserve a rapid path forward.”
“This designation reflects the FDA’s determination that salanersen has the potential to demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies,” said Stephanie Fradette, Pharm.D., Head of the Rare Neurology Development Unit at Biogen. “This is a significant milestone for our SMA portfolio as we advance the Phase 3 studies designed to establish the role of salanersen in the future SMA treatment landscape.”
The salanersen Phase 3 program consists of three global studies:
- STELLAR-1 (recruiting), an open-label study, will evaluate the effects of salanersen in young (under 6 weeks old), treatment-naïve and clinically presymptomatic infants with a genetic diagnosis of SMA
- SOLAR (recruiting), an open-label study, will evaluate the effects of salanersen in teens and adults (aged 15–60 years) with SMA who are either treatment-naïve or previously treated with risdiplam
- STELLAR-2 (recruitment expected to begin in June 2026), a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, will evaluate the effects of salanersen when initiated ~6 months after onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi in infants with SMA who received presymptomatic treatment with gene therapy at 6 weeks of age or younger
More information on the STELLAR-1 study (NCT07221669), STELLAR-2 (NCT07444450) and SOLAR (NCT07444476) are available at clinicaltrials.gov.
About Salanersen
Salanersen (BIIB115) is a novel, intrathecally administered antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) in development for SMA. Salanersen is designed to correct splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to increase production of SMN protein. It has a new chemistry that leads to high potency, enabling the potential for high efficacy with once-yearly dosing.
Salanersen is being evaluated in three global Phase 3 studies designed to evaluate safety and efficacy of 80 mg administered once-yearly in a broad spectrum of individuals living with SMA. Biogen licensed the global development, manufacturing and commercialization rights for salanersen from Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Salanersen was discovered by Ionis.
Salanersen Phase 1b Study Results
The Phase 1b study included participants (n=24, aged 0.5-12 years), who received at least 2 doses of salanersen (40 mg or 80 mg). The 80 mg dose will be further evaluated in the Phase 3 studies.
In participants who received salanersen 40 mg and 80 mg and had elevated baseline concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a potential marker of ongoing neurodegeneration, meaningful reductions (
About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
SMA is a rare, genetic, neuromuscular disease that affects individuals of all ages. It is characterized by a loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brain stem, resulting in progressive muscle atrophy and weakness.1 SMA is caused by a deficiency in the production of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein due to a damaged or missing SMN1 gene, with a spectrum of disease severity.1 Some individuals with SMA may never sit; some sit but never walk; and some walk but may lose that ability over time.2 In the absence of treatment, children with the most severe form of SMA would usually not be expected to reach their second birthday.1
SMA impacts approximately 1 in 10,000 live births,3-6 is a leading cause of genetic death among infants7 and causes a range of disability in teenagers and adults.2
About Biogen
Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patients’ lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply deep understanding of human biology and leverage different modalities to advance first-in-class treatments or therapies that deliver superior outcomes. Our approach is to take bold risks, balanced with return on investment to deliver long-term growth. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.biogen.com. Follow us on social media - Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube.
Biogen Safe Harbor
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about the potential clinical effects of salanersen; the potential benefits, safety and efficacy of salanersen, including the potential to slow neurodegeneration and improve motor function; the clinical development program for salanersen; the identification and treatment of SMA; our research and development program for the treatment of SMA; the potential of our commercial business and pipeline programs, including salanersen; and risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “hope,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “prospect,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” or the negative of these words or other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data presented. Given their forward-looking nature, these statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may be based on inaccurate assumptions and could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements.
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References:
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Fact Sheet. Available at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Spinal-Muscular-Atrophy-Fact-Sheet. Accessed: March 2026.
- Wadman RI, Wijngaarde CA, Stam M, et al. Muscle strength and motor function throughout life in a cross-sectional cohort of 180 patients with spinal muscular atrophy types 1c–4. Eur J Neurol. 2018;25(3):512-518.
- Arkblad E, Tulinius M, Kroksmark AK, Henricsson M, Darin N. A population-based study of genotypic and phenotypic variability in children with spinal muscular atrophy. Acta Paediatr. 2009 May;98(5):865-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01201.x. Epub 2009 Jan 20.
- Jedrzejowska M, Milewski M, Zimowski J, Zagozdzon P, Kostera-Pruszczyk A, Borkowska J, Sielska D, Jurek M, Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz I. Incidence of spinal muscular atrophy in Poland--more frequent than predicted? Neuroepidemiology. 2010;34(3):152-7. doi: 10.1159/000275492. Epub 2010 Jan 15.
- Prior TW, Snyder PJ, Rink BD, Pearl DK, Pyatt RE, Mihal DC, Conlan T, Schmalz B, Montgomery L, Ziegler K, Noonan C, Hashimoto S, Garner S. Newborn and carrier screening for spinal muscular atrophy. Am J Med Genet A. 2010 Jul;152A(7):1608-16. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33474.
- Sugarman EA, Nagan N, Zhu H, Akmaev VR, Zhou Z, Rohlfs EM, Flynn K, Hendrickson BC, Scholl T, Sirko-Osadsa DA, Allitto BA. Pan-ethnic carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy: clinical laboratory analysis of >72,400 specimens. Eur J Hum Genet. 2012 Jan;20(1):27-32. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.134. Epub 2011 Aug 3.
- Kolb SJ, Coffey CS, Yankey JW, et al. Natural history of infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Neurol. 2017;82(6):883-891. doi:10.1002/ana.25101.
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