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Biogen logo is seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesJune 26 (Reuters) - Biogen (BIIB.O), opens new tab said on Friday it had either paused or discontinued funding for most of Apellis Pharmaceuticals' research programs ​as it integrates the rare-disease drugs specialist it purchased ‌for $5.6 billion earlier this year.

The U.S. drugmaker has also cut a small number of roles within the research organization as it shifts resources ​toward Empaveli and Syfovre, the approved therapies acquired through ​the deal.

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"As part of the integration of Apellis, Biogen ⁠is conducting a comprehensive review of the former Apellis ​clinical & preclinical portfolio to further evaluate strategic fit," a Biogen ​spokesperson said.

The company did not offer details on the number of roles or the specific programs impacted by the decision.

Biogen has suspended two ​trials evaluating Empaveli in two separate kidney-related conditions, according to ​updates posted earlier this month on the U.S. government's clinical trials database.

The ‌Apellis ⁠deal, Biogen's largest since its 2023 buyout of Reata Pharmaceuticals, is expected to support the company's near-term growth as demand for its key multiple sclerosis franchise declines and sales of ​Alzheimer's drug ​Leqembi lag expectations.

Empaveli ⁠is approved for two rare kidney diseases and a rare blood disorder while Syfovre is ​authorized to treat geographic atrophy, an advanced ​eye condition ⁠that is a leading cause of blindness.

The two drugs generated a combined revenue of about $689 million last year and are ⁠expected to ​grow at a mid-to-high-teens rate at ​least through 2028, the companies had said when the deal was announced in ​March.

Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila

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