Biogen Acquires Waltham-Based Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 Billion
New England Council member Biogen is acquiring Waltham-based Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion, expanding its immunology and rare disease portfolio with two already-approved medicines as the Cambridge drugmaker continues to build its pipeline through external deals.
Apellis brings two approved immunology drugs to the transaction: Empaveli, approved for three conditions, including two rare kidney diseases, and Syfovre, approved for geographic atrophy, which together generated $689 million in combined net sales in 2025. Biogen also views the acquisition as a longer-term play, with its own drug felzartamab currently in Phase 3 studies for three kidney diseases — a program that stands to benefit from Apellis’ established U.S. sales team and nephrology experience. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, after which a significant proportion of Apellis’ 733 employees will join Biogen, further strengthening the company’s footprint in Massachusetts, where it already employs roughly 1,500 of its 7,500 worldwide staff.
“Consistent with our strategy, this acquisition immediately advances Biogen’s ongoing transformation,” said Biogen CEO Chris Viehbacher. “The addition of Apellis expands our growth portfolio in immunology and rare disease with two approved, best-in-class medicines that complement our existing portfolio and bolster our near- and long-term growth potential.”
The New England Council commends Biogen for this significant acquisition and its continued commitment to advancing innovative treatments for rare and complex diseases.
Read more on the Boston Business Journal.