Abivax completes induction treatment of last patient in ABX464 phase 2b clinical study in ulcerative colitis

April 14, 2021
  • 16-weeks induction treatment with ABX464 in phase 2b clinical study in ulcerative colitis completed for the 254 patients enrolled, with reduction of Total Mayo Score after 8 weeks as primary endpoint
  • Top-line data of induction phase to become available in the second half of May 2021
  • 48-weeks maintenance treatment with ABX464 in phase 2b clinical study in ulcerative colitis now fully enrolled, with top-line data to become available in Q1 2022
  • Start of clinical phase 3 program in ulcerative colitis expected by year end
  • KOL webcast scheduled on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 1:30 pm CEST with Prof. Bruce Sands, M.D., M.S. to discuss ulcerative colitis, existing and future treatment options, and current unmet needs

PARIS, France, April 14, 2021 – 6:30 p.m. (CEST) – Abivax SA (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284 – ABVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies that modulate the immune system to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, viral infections, and cancer, today announces the completion of 16-weeks of induction treatment with different doses of ABX464 or placebo in its clinical phase 2b study for the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Top-line data will become available in the second half of next month.

The first patient was enrolled into the double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose ranging phase 2b clinical trial with ABX464 in UC in August 2019 and recruitment of 254 patients was completed in December 2020. The last patient has now completed the 16-weeks induction treatment.

Ahead of the data read-out, the Company will host a webcasted key opinion leader (KOL) event on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 1:30 pm CEST (7:30 am EDT) with Prof. Bruce Sands, M.D., M.S., Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, NY. Dr. Sands will discuss UC, current and future treatments and unmet needs, and Abivax’s senior management will provide an update on the Company and the potential of ABX464 to become a safe and effective new treatment option.

Sophie Biguenet, M.D., CMO of Abivax, said: “We are very much looking forward to communicating the results of the 16-weeks phase 2b induction study during the second half of May this year. These data will provide valuable information on the potential of ABX464 to become a well-tolerated, oral, easy-administrable, short- and long-term effective novel treatment option for the many patients suffering from moderate-to-severe UC. In parallel, the phase 2b maintenance study is continuing as planned and we are preparing for our phase 3 program in UC, expected to start by year end.”

Prof. Hartmut J. Ehrlich, M.D., CEO of Abivax, said: “The clinical phase 2b top-line read-outs in UC next month will give us more visibility on the strategic options for the Company. We will carefully evaluate and select the most attractive path forward to create shareholder value. Partnering with a large pharma or biotech company remains our strategic priority.”

The randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase 2b induction trial had four arms: three once-daily oral ABX464 treatment groups (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg) and one placebo group. The study is conducted in 130 study centers in 15 European countries, Canada and the US under the leadership of its principal investigator, Prof. Séverine Vermeire, M.D., Ph.D., University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium. Prof. William Sandborn, M.D., University of California San Diego Health, serves as the principal investigator for the US.

All patients who completed the induction study had the option to enroll into the subsequent open-label maintenance study for up to two years to confirm the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ABX464. During this maintenance period, patients are being treated in an open label fashion with 50mg of once-daily oral ABX464. Abivax is using IQVIA as partner, a global premier CRO, to successfully conduct its clinical trials with ABX464 for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

At present, more than 800 patients have been treated with ABX464 across different indications, including UC. Some of these patients are in their fourth year of continuous daily dosing within the ongoing phase 2a maintenance study. Abivax reported excellent induction (after 8 weeks) as well as maintenance (after one and two-years) safety and efficacy data from the ABX464 UC phase 2a maintenance study with 50 mg once-daily oral ABX464 in patients with moderate-to-severe UC. After 12 months of treatment, 75% of the patients were in clinical remission. After the second year of continued treatment, 69% of patients were in clinical remission and 94% benefited from a clinical response.

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Abivax will host a virtual KOL event as webcast on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 1:30 pm CEST (7:30 am EDT), ahead of the data read-out of its ABX464 phase 2b clinical study in UC. Prof. Bruce Sands, M.D., M.S., Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, NY, will provide expert information on existing and future treatment options for UC, including current unmet medical needs. In addition, Abivax will provide an update on the safety and efficacy of ABX464 as it applies to UC.

To participate in the webcast, please follow the weblink: https://media.rampard.com/20210420/    

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About Abivax (www.abivax.com)

Abivax, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is developing novel therapies that modulate the body’s natural immune machinery to treat patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, viral infections, and cancer. Abivax is listed on Euronext compartment B (ISIN: FR0012333284 – Mnémo: ABVX). Based in Paris and Montpellier, Abivax has two drug candidates in clinical development, ABX464 to treat severe inflammatory diseases, and ABX196 to treat hepatocellular carcinoma. More information on the company is available at www.abivax.com. Follow us on Twitter @ABIVAX_.

Contacts

Abivax                
Communications
Regina Jehle
regina.jehle@abivax.com  
+33 6 24 50 69 63

Investors
LifeSci Advisors
Chris Maggos

chris@lifesciadvisors.com
+41 79 367 6254

Press Relations & Investors Europe
MC Services AG
Anne Hennecke
anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu
+49 211 529 252 22

 

Public Relations France
Actifin
Ghislaine Gasparetto

ggasparetto@actifin.fr
+33 6 21 10 49 24

 

Public Relations France
DGM Conseil

Thomas Roborel de Climens
thomasdeclimens@dgm-conseil.fr
+33 6 14 50 15 84

 

Public Relations USA    
Rooney Partners LLC
Marion Janic
mjanic@rooneyco.com
+1 212 223 4017

 

 

Abivax                
Communications
Regina Jehle
regina.jehle@abivax.com
+33 6 24 50 69 63

 

Investors
LifeSci Advisors
Chris Maggos
chris@lifesciadvisors.com
+41 79 367 6254

 

Press Relations & Investors Europe
MC Services AG
Anne Hennecke
anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu
+49 211 529 252 22

 

Public Relations France
Actifin
Ghislaine Gasparetto
ggasparetto@actifin.fr
+33 6 21 10 49 24

 

Public Relations France
DGM Conseil

Thomas Roborel de Climens
thomasdeclimens@dgm-conseil.fr
+33 6 14 50 15 84

 

Public Relations USA    
Rooney Partners LLC
Marion Janic
mjanic@rooneyco.com
+1 212 223 4017

  

DISCLAIMER

This press release contains forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates (including patient recruitment) with respect to certain of the Company's programs. Although the Company believes that its forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates are based on assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that have been deemed reasonable, such forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. A description of these risks, contingencies and uncertainties can be found in the documents filed by the Company with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers pursuant to its legal obligations including its registration document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel). Furthermore, these forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates are only as of the date of this press release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Abivax disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, forecasts or estimates to reflect any subsequent changes that the Company becomes aware of, except as required by law.

This press release is for information purposes only, and the information contained herein does not constitute either an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe securities of the Company in any jurisdiction, in particular in France. Similarly, it does not give and should not be treated as giving investment advice. It has no connection with the investment objectives, financial situation or specific needs of any recipient. It should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for exercise of their own judgement. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. The distribution of this document may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this document comes are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.