Abivax announced today that ABX464 had been cleared to start Phase 2b / 3 clinical trials in the treatment of COVID-19 infection in diagnosed high risk patients. Orally delivered ABX464 has a combined anti-inflammatory and anti-viral action that could make it a game-changer in COVID-19 therapy. Developed originally as an HIV antiviral, ABX464 has already been shown in clinical trials in ulcerative colitis ("UC") to repress effectively many of the inflammatory mediators that also underlie the severe lung inflammation that forces some COVID-19 patients onto ventilators and too frequently leads to death. New data from a robust in-vitro model now indicates that ABX464 also has a COVID-19 anti-viral action on a par with remdesivir recently given emergency use approval by the FDA for COVID-19 treatment. Uncertainty surrounding the progression of the disease and potential impact of a vaccine makes the opportunity difficult to model. At the very least, we would expect this to be a gamechanger in expanding partnering and financing opportunities for Abivax in the shortterm underpinning the value the existing ABX464 anti-inflammatory programme. We reiterate our OUTPERFORM recommendation and increase our TP to €40 (from €31.30 / share).
14 May 2020
ABX464 in COVID-19 - a potential game-changer?
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ABX464 in COVID-19 - a potential game-changer?
Abivax SA (0RA9:LON) | 0 0 0.5% | Mkt Cap: 83.0m
- Published:
14 May 2020 -
Author:
Chris Redhead -
Pages:
5
Abivax announced today that ABX464 had been cleared to start Phase 2b / 3 clinical trials in the treatment of COVID-19 infection in diagnosed high risk patients. Orally delivered ABX464 has a combined anti-inflammatory and anti-viral action that could make it a game-changer in COVID-19 therapy. Developed originally as an HIV antiviral, ABX464 has already been shown in clinical trials in ulcerative colitis ("UC") to repress effectively many of the inflammatory mediators that also underlie the severe lung inflammation that forces some COVID-19 patients onto ventilators and too frequently leads to death. New data from a robust in-vitro model now indicates that ABX464 also has a COVID-19 anti-viral action on a par with remdesivir recently given emergency use approval by the FDA for COVID-19 treatment. Uncertainty surrounding the progression of the disease and potential impact of a vaccine makes the opportunity difficult to model. At the very least, we would expect this to be a gamechanger in expanding partnering and financing opportunities for Abivax in the shortterm underpinning the value the existing ABX464 anti-inflammatory programme. We reiterate our OUTPERFORM recommendation and increase our TP to €40 (from €31.30 / share).