Abivax

ABVX

Market cap $9.17B

Abivax (ABVX) remains a Buy, driven by obefazimod's strong UC data and significant multi-billion dollar market potential. ABVX is a credible M&A target, with Eli Lilly and other pharma giants rumored as potential acquirers, but fundamentals—not acquisition hopes—should drive investment decisions. Key 2026 catalysts include Phase 3 UC maintenance topline data, potential NDA/MAA filings, and Phase 2B Crohn's disease results.

France's finance ministry has received no request seeking investment approval in Abivax and has had no contact with Eli Lilly , a ministry official said on Monday, following media reports that the U.S. pharma giant was still interested in buying the French biotech firm.

Abivax stock (EPA: ABVX) surged roughly 30% in early Paris trading Monday after French media reported that US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly was preparing a €15 billion ($17.5 billion) acquisition offer for the French biotech.

Stock in the French company has been rising steadily since late July, and climbed as much as 30% in early trading Monday.

Shares in Abivax soared 23%, exceeding 121 euros, on Monday after a media report said U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly was still interested in buying the French biotech company.

Abivax stock rallied in 2025, far outpacing peers, as the French biotech surprised investors with a stellar data readout in July for its lead asset – an ulcerative colitis medicine. Now, analysts say the French biotech could be bought by a larger peer for as much $23 billion.

Abivax Provides 2026 Corporate Outlook New market insights indicate significant future expansion of the ulcerative colitis (UC) market, with obefazimod well positioned to become a future market leader in the IBD space ABTECT Phase 3 Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) meeting on December 18, 2025, found no new safety signals with over 80% of participants having completed the 44-week double blind maintenance trial ABTECT-UC Phase 3 maintenance topline results expected late Q2 2026, with a subsequent US regulatory filing planned for late 2026 ENHANCE-CD Phase 2b induction trial of obefazimod in moderate-to-severely active Crohn's disease (CD) ongoing; induction results expected late 2026 22 abstracts accepted for upcoming February 2026 European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) conference including oral presentation of obefazimod impact on fibrosis in in-vitro and preclinical models Cash runway expected into Q4 2027, after full debt reimbursement in Q4 2025 PARIS, France – January 7, 2026 – 10:05 PM CET – Abivax SA (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284 – ABVX / Nasdaq: ABVX) (“Abivax” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics that harness the body's natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize the immune response in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, today announced its 2026 corporate outlook, highlighting new market insights, progress in the ABTECT-UC and ENHANCE-CD trials, and advances in its therapeutic pipeline. Updates from the ABTECT Phase 3 maintenance trial evaluating obefazimod for the treatment of moderate-to-severely active UC reinforce the therapy's safety profile and inform potential future combination strategies.

Abivax surged 1,470% YTD, driven by Obefazimod's clinical progress and takeover speculation, but I rate it Hold due to valuation risk. Obefazimod, a first-in-class oral therapy for ulcerative colitis, met key Phase 3 endpoints, with pivotal maintenance data expected mid-2026. ABVX boasts €589.7 million in cash, supporting operations through Q4 2027, despite high R&D-driven losses and a €15.3 million monthly cash burn.

New speculation arose about a potential buyout from a very deep-pocketed strategic investor. These first started to swirl in mid-December.

Abivax to be Added to Nasdaq Biotechnology Index PARIS, France – December 18, 2025 – 10:05 pm CET – Abivax SA (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284 – ABVX / Nasdaq: ABVX) (“Abivax” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics that harness the body's natural regulatory mechanisms to stabilize the immune response in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, today announced that it will be added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (Nasdaq: NBI), effective prior to market open on Monday, December 22, 2025. Didier Blondel, Chief Financial Officer of Abivax commented: “Our inclusion in the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index marks a significant milestone for Abivax.