The biotech said some patients developed cancer in a late-stage clinical trial for the bowel-disease drug that were unrelated to the treatment.
Abivax shares fell 31% even after the French biotech reported strong late-stage data for obefazimod, its experimental treatment for ulcerative colitis. The once-daily oral therapy met the main goal and all key secondary endpoints in a Phase 3 maintenance study, strengthening the case for a potential new option in a market still led by injectable biologics and other advanced treatments.
Biotech takeover target Abivax sinks over 30% after bowel disease drug trial update
Abivax said on Monday its experimental drug for patients with ulcerative colitis, a type of chronic inflammatory disease, met the main goal of a closely watched late-stage trial.
Does Abivax SA Sponsored ADR (ABVX) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.
Abivax remains a buy, with Obefezimod showing best-in-class efficacy and safety in ulcerative colitis and potential in Crohn's disease. Updated phase 3 and UEG safety data further de-risk ABVX, supporting earlier line use and expanding market potential beyond refractory patients. I raise my probability of success to 95%, increasing the 12-month target price to $140 per share, reflecting ~25% upside.
Abivax CEO Marc de Garidel told CNBC that the terms of any future deal will be better after it releases data on a key trial in the second quarter. Intense takeover rumors have surrounded the French biotech company for months, with analysts seeing it as a prime takeover target.
Biotechnology company Abivax dismissed information published by French media publication "La Lettre" saying it had granted AstraZeneca exclusive access to confidential information until March 23 to allow the British pharmaceutical giant to formalise a takeover offer.
Class A shares of the Alger Mid Cap Growth Fund outperformed the Russell Midcap Growth Index during the fourth quarter of 2025. Cidara Therapeutics, Inc., Natera, Inc., and Abivax were among the top contributors to performance. Roblox Corp. Class A, e.l.f. Beauty, Inc., and Nebius Group were among the top detractors from performance.
Abivax Chief Executive Marc de Garidel dismissed as "noise" reports in the French press that pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly may take over his company, and said market speculation about an ongoing review by French authorities was inconsistent with how French foreign-investment oversight works.
Abivax (ABVX) remains a Buy, driven by obefazimod's strong UC data and significant multi-billion dollar market potential. ABVX is a credible M&A target, with Eli Lilly and other pharma giants rumored as potential acquirers, but fundamentals—not acquisition hopes—should drive investment decisions. Key 2026 catalysts include Phase 3 UC maintenance topline data, potential NDA/MAA filings, and Phase 2B Crohn's disease results.
France's finance ministry has received no request seeking investment approval in Abivax and has had no contact with Eli Lilly , a ministry official said on Monday, following media reports that the U.S. pharma giant was still interested in buying the French biotech firm.