AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) shares are edging higher Friday morning following Thursday’s announcement of positive Phase 3 trial results for its menstrual migraine treatment, atogepant. Here’s what investors need to know.
- AbbVie stock is trading at elevated levels. Where are ABBV shares going?
Atogepant Meets All Endpoints in Phase 3 LUNA Trial
AbbVie announced positive topline results Thursday from its pivotal Phase 3 LUNA trial evaluating atogepant (marketed as QULIPTA/AQUIPTA) for the preventive treatment of menstrual migraine in adult patients. The study evaluated an intermittent 7-day dosing schedule per cycle, meeting its primary endpoint and all eight ranked secondary endpoints with high statistical significance.
Atogepant reduced perimenstrual migraine days by an average of 1.20 days compared to 0.40 days for placebo, representing a net 0.80-day reduction, while demonstrating meaningful improvements in acute medication use, headache burden, cognitive function, and functional disability.
With no treatments currently approved specifically for menstrual migraine, AbbVie plans to leverage the data for global regulatory submissions to broaden its CGRP neuroscience franchise.
Reinforcing capital return reliability alongside the clinical progress, AbbVie’s board of directors on Thursday declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.73 per share, payable November 16, to stockholders of record as of October 15.
$10.9B Apogee Acquisition Expands Immunology Footprint
The pipeline momentum builds on AbbVie’s completion of its $10.9 billion cash acquisition of Apogee Therapeutics on Sept. 3. The transaction adds zumilokibart, a late-stage antibody targeting IL-13 for atopic dermatitis, to AbbVie’s immunology platform.
While management noted the deal will create a minor 14 cent per share dilutive impact in 2026, AbbVie reaffirmed its full-year 2026 adjusted diluted EPS guidance of $13.87 to $14.07.
ABBV Shares Edge Higher Friday
ABBV Price Action: AbbVie shares were up 0.96% at $257.45 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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