Abivax SA Reports Promising Anti‑Fibrotic and Early Efficacy Data for Obefazimod at ECCO 2026
Abivax SA (Euronext Paris: FR0012333284, Nasdaq: ABVX) presented a series of clinical and pre‑clinical data on its lead anti‑fibrotic candidate, obefazimod, during the 21st European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) Annual Congress on 21 February 2026. The company highlighted the first evidence of anti‑fibrotic activity in both human fibroblast models and animal studies, as well as early symptomatic response and safety outcomes from pooled analyses of the Phase II ABTECT 1 and ABTECT 2 induction trials.
Key Findings
| Domain | Result |
|---|---|
| Pre‑clinical anti‑fibrotic activity | In a human fibroblast model, obefazimod reduced the fibrosis score by approximately 90 % when administered early; a later intervention still achieved a 60 % reduction. In vivo animal studies confirmed similar anti‑fibrotic effects, suggesting a therapeutic potential in Crohn’s disease. |
| Clinical efficacy (Phase II ABTECT 1 + 2) | A pooled analysis of 1 272 patients showed a symptomatic response as early as week 1 and a statistically significant symptomatic remission by week 2 (p < 0.05). Biomarker data revealed up‑regulation of miR‑124 and reductions in IL‑17A and IL‑6 toward homeostatic levels. |
| Safety profile | Serious treatment‑emergent adverse events and study discontinuations were comparable to placebo. The rate of serious adverse events in the 50 mg dose group was 3.1 % versus 3.2 % in the placebo group. Study discontinuations due to adverse events were 4.7 % in the high‑dose group, indicating a favourable safety margin. |
| Regulatory milestones | The data support the company’s planned regulatory milestones for the remainder of 2026, bringing the drug closer to potential approval for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). |
Context and Strategic Implications
Abivax’s portfolio extends beyond obefazimod to include anti‑viral therapies and therapeutic vaccines for infectious diseases, notably HIV/AIDS (ABX 464), hepatitis B (ABX 203), and dengue fever (ABX 220). The company maintains collaborations with the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the University of Montpellier 2, the Curie Institute, and the Cuban Centro de Ingenia Genetica y de Biotecnologia.
The positive data presented at ECCO reinforce obefazimod’s position as a potential disease‑modifying treatment for IBD, addressing a significant unmet need for anti‑fibrotic therapies in Crohn’s disease. The favourable safety profile, coupled with rapid onset of action, may strengthen investor confidence in the company’s IBD development pipeline.
Market Reception
Following the announcement, Abivax shares traded at €112.40 on 19 February 2026, reflecting a market cap of approximately €8.7 billion. The company’s price‑earnings ratio remains negative at –36.41, indicative of ongoing investment in clinical development. The 52‑week high of €132 and low of €4.51 underscore the volatility inherent in biotechnology investments.
In summary, Abivax’s presentation at ECCO 2026 delivers robust evidence of obefazimod’s anti‑fibrotic efficacy, early symptomatic benefit, and acceptable safety profile, supporting the company’s trajectory toward regulatory approval for IBD and further expanding its therapeutic portfolio.
