---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-22-281950"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BIIB"
cik: "0000875045"
company_name: "BIOGEN INC."
filed_at: "2022-11-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-22T00:24:32.689637+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Biogen appoints Christopher Viehbacher as President and CEO effective Nov 14, 2022

## Summary
- Viehbacher succeeds Michel Vounatsos, who steps down as CEO and from the Board.
- Viehbacher receives $1.6M base salary, 150% target bonus, and initial equity awards totaling $28M (options + PSUs).
- He must purchase at least $2M of Biogen stock; then receive an RSU grant of $2M vesting in 3 years.
- Severance: 1.5x salary plus target bonus if terminated without cause or for good reason; 2x if change in control.
- Viehbacher co-founded Gurnet Point Capital, former global CEO of Sanofi.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-22-281950
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BIIB
- cik: 0000875045
- company_name: BIOGEN INC.
- filed_at: 2022-11-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875045/000119312522281950/0001193125-22-281950-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875045/000119312522281950/d419645d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-281950
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-281950.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-22-281950.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michel Vounatsos departed as CEO at BIOGEN INC..
  - Action: stepped down
  - Role: CEO
  source text: Michel Vounatsos will step down as Biogen’s CEO and will resign from the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875045/000119312522281950/0001193125-22-281950-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher A. Viehbacher was appointed as President and CEO at BIOGEN INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President and CEO
  source text: appointed Christopher A. Viehbacher, age 62, to serve as President and CEO of Biogen, beginning November 14, 2022.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875045/000119312522281950/0001193125-22-281950-index.htm
- Executive change
  Christopher A. Viehbacher was appointed as Director at BIOGEN INC..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: Mr. Viehbacher will succeed Michel Vounatsos as director of Biogen effective November 14, 2022
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/875045/000119312522281950/0001193125-22-281950-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.