AbbVie-Genmab Combo Cuts DLBCL Progression Risk by 51% in Phase 3
ABBV sits 40% above its 52-week low of $190.75.
Summary
Epcoritamab plus R-CHOP reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 51% versus R-CHOP alone in newly diagnosed DLBCL patients in the global, randomized Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial. Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody that binds CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells. The trial evaluated fixed-duration epcoritamab plus R-CHOP for six cycles followed by epcoritamab for two cycles, compared with R-CHOP followed by rituximab, where R-CHOP consists of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone. This is the first late-stage bispecific antibody combination to significantly improve progression-free survival in first-line DLBCL. The safety profile was consistent with known profiles. Epcoritamab is not yet approved for first-line use, so this data supports a potential label expansion, and AbbVie and Genmab plan to engage global regulatory authorities on next steps. AbbVie shares rose 1.5% on the news, while Genmab jumped 11%. The result strengthens AbbVie's oncology franchise and could open a large market opportunity in DLBCL.
Updated with a dpa-AFX report · What changed
Updates
· ShareCast — Genmab shares rose 9% to DKK2,591 by 1304 BST, while AbbVie futures were flat pre-market.
· dpa-AFX — AbbVie and Genmab plan to engage global regulatory authorities on next steps for epcoritamab plus R-CHOP in newly diagnosed DLBCL.
- Trial Design — The global, randomized Phase 3 EPCORE DLBCL-2 trial evaluated fixed-duration epcoritamab plus R-CHOP for six cycles followed by epcoritamab for two cycles, compared with R-CHOP followed by rituximab. R-CHOP consists of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone.
- Epcoritamab Mechanism — Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody that binds CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells.
All 7 details
- The trial is named EPCORE DLBCL-2.
- Epcoritamab is a subcutaneous T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody.
- Epcoritamab binds CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells.
- The trial evaluated fixed-duration epcoritamab plus R-CHOP for six cycles followed by epcoritamab for two cycles.
- The comparator arm was R-CHOP followed by rituximab.
- R-CHOP consists of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone.
- The trial is a global, randomized Phase 3 trial.
At the time of this announcement, ABBV was trading at $266.80 on NYSE in the Life Sciences sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $471.5B. The 52-week trading range was $190.75 to $269.39. This news item was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 8 out of 10. Source: Reuters.