AbbVie Inc. ABBV presented encouraging results on Imbruvica and its experimental multiple myeloma candidate, venetoclax, at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international, multicenter, phase III HELIOS study (n=578) showed an 80% reduction in the risk of progression or death in patients treated with Imbruvica plus bendamustine and rituximab (BR) compared to patients receiving placebo plus BR. Patients also experienced a higher overall response rate including a higher rate of complete responses. The study was conducted in patients with previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma.
AbbVie also announced interim results from an ongoing phase Ib/II study on Imbruvica, evaluating its safety and efficacy in patients suffering from steroid-dependent or refractory chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). While the phase Ib portion of the study was open-label and designed to assess the recommended phase II dose of Imbruvica (starting at 420 mg), the phase II study is currently underway. Interim data showed early clinical activity in the reduction of cGVHD in patients when treated with Imbruvica.
We remind investors that Imbruvica was added to AbbVie’s portfolio following the Pharmacyclics acquisition in May 2015. AbbVie has an agreement with Johnson & Johnson’s JNJ Janssen Biotech for Imbruvica. Imbruvica is currently approved for the treatment of patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, mantle cell lymphoma or CLL who have received at least one previous therapy and for CLL patients with a deletion of the short arm of chromosome 17.
Meanwhile, AbbVie presented data from a phase Ib study on its experimental multiple myeloma candidate venetoclax. Results showed that when treated with venetoclax in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone, patients demonstrated an overall response rate of 83% in bortezomib-naïve patients and a 63% overall response rate in bortezomib-sensitive patients. Moreover, a monotherapy study on venetoclax showed a 29% overall response rate.
AbbVie has an agreement with Roche RHHBY for venetoclax.
AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Gilead Sciences GILD is a better-ranked stock in the health care sector carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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