AbbVie CEO Rich Gonzalez has revealed the company’s stance on the recent ADC transaction involving Daiichi and Merck. Despite being aware of the opportunity, AbbVie decided to prioritize its internally-developed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), ABBV-400, which is currently in a phase 1 trial for solid tumor patients.
Gonzalez expressed confidence in the capabilities of ABBV-400, emphasizing that AbbVie owns and has developed the platform internally, making it a comprehensive solution for the company. AbbVie’s commitment to its ADC platform is evident with two other ADCs in its pipeline: ABBV-399, in late-stage development for non-small cell lung cancer, and ABBV-706, designed for small cell lung cancer.
Daiichi has been a prominent player in the ADC field, particularly through its collaboration with AstraZeneca on the breast cancer drug Enhertu. Merck recently entered the ADC market by partnering with Daiichi in a significant deal, showing the growing interest in this area. While other companies expressed interest, Daiichi selected Merck as a partner due to its Keytruda franchise and clinical expertise.
Regarding AbbVie’s business development strategy, Gonzalez mentioned that the company currently does not require external collaborations to drive growth. Any potential collaborations would likely align with AbbVie’s existing therapeutic focus areas: immunology, oncology, and neurology.
In immunology, AbbVie aims to explore new mechanisms that can complement established products like Rinvoq and Skyrizi. For oncology, the company is interested in next-generation CAR-Ts and T-cell engagers, while in neurology, there is a focus on assets related to anxiety and mood. AbbVie recently acquired Mitokinin and its preclinical Parkinson’s treatment, further demonstrating its commitment to expanding its portfolio.
Gonzalez emphasized the importance of finding value-enhancing assets, and once identified, AbbVie is prepared to act swiftly to secure them. The company’s dedication to innovation and strategic growth remains a top priority in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
