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Biogen Says It's Under Investigation by Milan Prosecutor

Biogen Says It's Under Investigation by Milan Prosecutor

(Bloomberg) -- Biogen Inc. said its interactions with health-care providers in Italy are under investigation by a prosecutor in Milan.

The drugmaker learned of the investigation this month and is cooperating with the Italian government, according to a securities filing Tuesday. The company didn’t provide further details about the probe. Biogen spokesman Matt Fearer confirmed by email that the company’s Milan office was visited by officials acting on behalf of the prosecution Office of that city, adding it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Shares were little changed in trading after markets closed in New York.

Biogen has been under regulatory scrutiny in the U.S., where it is being investigated for its sales and promotional work by states and the federal government. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company has received subpoenas and civil investigative demands from the U.S. government regarding its relationship with patient assistance charities, agreements with wholesalers, rebates for some of its multiple sclerosis drugs, and relationships with groups that provide medical education.

To contact the reporter on this story: Doni Bloomfield in Boston at mbloomfiel12@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Drew Armstrong at darmstrong17@bloomberg.net, Cecile Daurat, John Lauerman