AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) shares are in focus after the biopharmaceutical giant released positive topline results for its investigational obesity treatment, ABBV-295.
The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study demonstrated that the long-acting amylin analog produced significant weight loss over a 12-to-13-week period, positioning AbbVie as a formidable challenger to established incretin-based therapies from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
The study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous ABBV-295 in adults with a mean body mass index (BMI) under 30.
Participants receiving the therapy saw dose-dependent mean weight reductions ranging from -7.75% to -9.79% at week 12 with weekly dosing.
In cohorts receiving alternate dosing (every other week or monthly after an initial period), weight loss reached up to -9.73% at week 13.
By comparison, the placebo group recorded a negligible reduction of approximately -0.25%.
Mechanistically, ABBV-295 distinguishes itself from the current market leaders by targeting amylin and calcitonin receptors rather than the GLP-1 or GIP pathways.
As a satiety hormone, amylin suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying, offering a non-incretin-based alternative that may provide better tolerability or combinability with other metabolic assets.
The study, which enrolled 76 participants (88.3% male), reported a favorable safety profile with no serious adverse events.
Side effects were predominantly gastrointestinal and mild in nature, occurring mainly during the first six weeks of the 2-to-14 mg dose escalation.