Leadership shift sets Biogen ANZ on course for next-phase growth

Biogen has turned a new page in its Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) leadership, appointing Alice Tien, currently at the helm of Biogen Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as its next Managing Director.

Tien will take over from David Henderson, whose 13-year tenure at Biogen includes the past three years leading the ANZ affiliate. Under his stewardship, the company cemented its leadership in multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and set the stage for the introduction of new therapies.

Tien is no stranger to driving transformation. Since joining Biogen in 2017, she has been the architect of the company’s Taiwan presence and later extended her leadership to Hong Kong and Macau. Her achievements include securing reimbursement and delivering launches of Biogen’s SMA treatment across all indications in Taiwan. Beyond the business metrics, she has championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), marching with local employees at Taiwan Pride – annual LGBTQ parade.

Webb Ding, Head of Asia Pacific, said“Alice has demonstrated exceptional leadership since joining Biogen in 2017, and I’m confident that she is poised to bring substantial value to the ANZ team through her proven business acumen and strategic vision,” he said.

“We thank David for his stewardship over the past three years, during which he has overseen our leadership in MS and SMA and prepared the business for the introduction of our new treatments.”

For Tien, the heart of the role is simple yet profound: “Knowing what we do every day brings hope to many families.” Her move to the ANZ business comes as Biogen awaits key decisions from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) at the upcoming November meeting. On the agenda are Skyclarys (omaveloxolone), a first-in-class treatment for Friedreich ataxia, and Qalsody (tofersen), developed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Tien’s appointment also marks a return home. An Australian citizen, she lived in Sydney for a decade and earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Sydney before embarking on her international career.

Henderson will remain with the company until the end of September to oversee a smooth handover.

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