Biogen Agrees to Pay $900 Million in Settlement Over Multiple Sclerosis Drugs

Biogen has agreed in principle to pay $900 million to settle a whistleblower lawsuit over alleged kickbacks to physicians before the case goes to a jury trial in Boston next week.

The company allegedly caused fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement claims by giving kickbacks that led to increased prescribing of three multiple sclerosis products, Avonex (interferon beta-1a), Tysabri (natalizumab) and Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate).

The whistleblower suit was filed by a former Biogen employee in 2012.

In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing, the company confirmed the settlement in principle, but said it did not admit any liability in the matter.