Biogen Shuffles Staff and Exits AAV Gene Therapy Programs After Strategic Shift

Biogen has discontinued all gene therapy programs using adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids as of late September 20251 6.

Most staff previously focused on these AAV programs were reassigned to other roles within the company, but a small number were laid off1 6.

The AAV program exit is part of Biogen’s broader efforts to restructure and prioritize resources on high-value areas, coinciding with a larger plan to cut about 1,000 jobs—over 11% of the company's workforce—by 20251 2 8.

These strategic changes are intended to support investment in newly prioritized drug pipelines and product launches while scaling back areas with less growth2 3.

Biogen's broader restructuring reflects challenging business conditions and industry-wide cost-cutting trends, with significant impact on the research division throughout 20253 6.