Why Upadacitinib Could Be AbbVie’s Long-Term Growth Driver

In September 2017, AbbVie (ABBV) presented successful results from its phase 3 SELECT-BEYOND trial. The phase 3 SELECT-BEYOND trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib for the treatment of individuals with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (or RA) who didn’t respond adequately or were intolerant to biologic DMARD (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) therapy. In the phase 3 trial, at 12 weeks, both upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg doses met ACR 20 and low disease activity (or LDA), which was the main endpoint of the  SELECT-BEYOND trial.

In the phase 3 SELECT-BEYOND trial, at week 12, among patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg, 65%, 34%, and 12% of patients, respectively, achieved ACR 20, ACR 50, and ACR 70, respectively. In the trial, at week 12, among patients receiving upadacitinib 30 mg, 56%, 36%, and 12% of patients attained ACR 20, ACR 50, and ACR 70, respectively, compared to 28%, 12%, and 7% of patients on placebo therapy.

At week 12, 29% and 24% of the patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg and upadacitinib 30 mg, respectively, achieved clinical remission compared to 10% of the patients on placebo therapy. Further, at week 12, 43% and 42% of the patients on upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, achieved LDA compared to 14% of the patients on placebo therapy.

At week 24, 62%, 43%, and 22% of patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg and 59%, 43%, and 24% of patients receiving upadacitinib 30 mg, respectively, achieved ACR 20, ACR 50, and ACR 70. At week 24, 52% of patients on upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg achieved LDA. Further, 32% and 35% of patients on upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, achieved clinical remission.

Notably, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) invests ~0.70% of its total portfolio holdings in AbbVie.