Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of significant accounting policies

References in these notes to "Biogen," the "company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Biogen Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Business Overview

Biogen is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and delivering innovative therapies for people living with serious and complex diseases worldwide. We have a broad portfolio of medicines to treat MS, have introduced the first approved treatment for SMA, co-developed treatments to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease and launched the first approved treatment to target a genetic cause of ALS. Through our 2023 acquisition of Reata we market the first and only drug approved in the U.S. and the E.U. for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia in adults and adolescents aged 16 years and older. We are focused on advancing our pipeline in neurology, specialized immunology and rare diseases. We support our drug discovery and development efforts through internal research and development programs, external collaborations and acquisitions.

Our marketed products include TECFIDERA, VUMERITY, AVONEX, PLEGRIDY, TYSABRI and FAMPYRA for the treatment of MS; SPINRAZA for the treatment of SMA; SKYCLARYS for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia; QALSODY for the treatment of ALS; and FUMADERM for the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis.

We also have collaborations with Eisai on the commercialization of LEQEMBI for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Sage on the commercialization of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of PPD. We have certain business and financial rights with respect to RITUXAN for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, CLL and other conditions; RITUXAN HYCELA for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and CLL; GAZYVA for the treatment of CLL and follicular lymphoma; OCREVUS for the treatment of PPMS and RMS; LUNSUMIO for the treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma; COLUMVI, a bispecific antibody for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; and have the option to add other potential anti-CD20 therapies, pursuant to our collaboration arrangements with Genentech, a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group.

On July 2, 2024, we completed the acquisition of HI-Bio. As a result of this transaction we acquired HI-Bio's lead asset, felzartamab, an anti-CD38 antibody currently being evaluated for three leading indications, AMR, PMN and IgAN. For additional information on our acquisition of HI-Bio, please read Note 2, Acquisitions, to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

We commercialize a portfolio of biosimilars of advanced biologics including BENEPALI, an etanercept biosimilar referencing ENBREL; IMRALDI, an adalimumab biosimilar referencing HUMIRA; FLIXABI, an infliximab biosimilar referencing REMICADE; and BYOOVIZ, a ranibizumab biosimilar referencing LUCENTIS, in certain international markets, as well as TOFIDENCE, a tocilizumab biosimilar referencing ACTEMRA, in the U.S. and certain international markets. We also have commercialization rights related to OPUVIZ, an aflibercept biosimilar referencing EYLEA.

For additional information on our collaboration arrangements, please read Note 19, Collaborative and Other Relationships, to these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (condensed consolidated financial statements).

Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, our condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of our financial statements for interim periods in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The information included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in our 2023 Form 10-K. Our accounting policies are described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2023 Form 10-K and updated, as necessary, in this report. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data presented for comparative purposes was derived from our audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or for any other subsequent interim period.

We operate as one operating segment, focused on advancing our pipeline in neurology, specialized immunology and rare diseases.

Consolidation

Our condensed consolidated financial statements reflect our financial statements, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. For consolidated entities where we own or are exposed to less than 100.0% of the economics, we record net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax in our condensed consolidated statements of income equal to the percentage of the economic or ownership interest retained in such entities by the respective noncontrolling parties. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, we apply a qualitative approach that determines whether we have both (1) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to that entity. We continuously assess whether we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as changes to existing relationships or future transactions may result in us consolidating or deconsolidating one or more of our collaborators or partners. In November 2023 we terminated the Neurimmune Agreement, which resulted in the deconsolidation of our variable interest entity, Neurimmune. For additional information on the deconsolidation of Neurimmune, please read Note 20, Investments in Variable Interest Entities, to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, equity, revenue and expense and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, judgments and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets, liabilities and equity and the amount of revenue and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2023 Form 10-K.

New Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed below, we do not believe that the adoption of recently issued standards have had or may have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Climate-Related Disclosures

In March 2024 the SEC issued a final rule under SEC Release No. 33-11275, The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. This new rule will require large accelerated filers to disclose material climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks will also include disclosure of material direct greenhouse gas emissions from operations owned or controlled (Scope 1) and/or material indirect greenhouse gas emissions from purchased energy consumed in owned or controlled operations (Scope 2). Additionally, the new rules will require disclosure within the notes to the financial statements of the effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions and information on any climate-related targets or goals, subject to certain materiality thresholds. The final rule, if adopted, includes a phased-in compliance period which will begin phasing in with our annual report for the year ending December 31, 2025.

In April 2024 the SEC voluntarily stayed implementation of the new climate-related disclosure requirements pending judicial review. Once the litigation is resolved, and if the rule remains in effect, the SEC will announce a new effective date. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that this new rule will have on our company's disclosures.

Segment Reporting

In November 2023 the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure. This standard requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items to reconcile to segment profit or loss and the title and position of the entity's CODM. The amendments in this update also expand the interim segment disclosure requirements. All disclosure requirements under this standard are also required for public entities with a single reportable segment. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update are required to be applied on a retrospective basis. While this accounting standard will increase disclosures, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.