Ablynx's lupus drug failure bad news for AbbVie and Sanofi too

26 March 2018

Executives at as many as three companies will be displeased by the disappointing results of vobarilizumab in a lupus trial.

Vobarilizumab is Belgian biotech Ablynx’ (Euronext: ABLX) anti-IL-6R Nanobody. AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) has a global exclusive option licensing deal for the development and commercialization of the drug in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

AbbVie has already decided not to exercise its option and license on vobarilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis under the 2013 collaboration with Ablynx, and the SLE results will not increase the US drugmaker's confidence in this therapy area.

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