AbbVie Acquires ImmunoGen For Oncology Pipeline

News coverage of AbbVie has centered around their plan for COO Robert Michael to succeed Richard Gonzalez in July, but the company also announced it completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen, adding the ADC ELAHERE for ovarian cancer to its portfolio. This acquisition enhances AbbVie's oncology pipeline with ImmunoGen's late-stage development programs and ADC technologies. ImmunoGen’s investigational assets, including treatments for ovarian cancer and a rare blood cancer, are highlighted as key additions to AbbVie's research and development efforts​​. When Michael takes on the post later this year he will become only their second-ever CEO. Gonzalez, 70, who has steered the company since it was formed through a spin-off from Abbott in 2013, will become executive chairman of AbbVie's board once he steps down.

AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of ImmunoGen (NASDAQ: IMGN). With the completion of the acquisition, ImmunoGen is now part of AbbVie.

"Together with ImmunoGen, we have the potential to continue redefining the standard of care for those living with cancer," said Robert A. Michael, president and chief operating officer, AbbVie. "The addition of ImmunoGen's treatment for ovarian cancer will accelerate our ability to help patients today, expand our oncology pipeline and drive long-term revenue growth well into the next decade. I want to thank ImmunoGen for their efforts to advance science for patients and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to AbbVie."

ELAHERE® (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) is the first and only antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in ovarian cancer. The FDA granted accelerated approval for ELAHERE in folate receptor-alpha (FRα) positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients based on response data. Results from a confirmatory trial currently under review by the FDA show that ELAHERE is the first targeted agent to offer a survival benefit in PROC, with label expansion opportunities across larger segments of the ovarian cancer market.

ImmunoGen's follow-on pipeline of ADCs further builds on AbbVie's existing solid tumor pipeline of novel targeted therapies and next-generation immuno-oncology assets, which have the potential to create new treatment possibilities across multiple solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Through focused R&D efforts, AbbVie has developed novel ADC technology and has unique strengths in antibody engineering, drug linker chemistry and toxin research. AbbVie and ImmunoGen's combined capabilities represent an opportunity to deliver potentially transformative ADC therapies to patients.

ImmunoGen's investigational Phase 1 asset, IMGN-151, is a next-generation FRα ADC for ovarian cancer with the potential for expansion into other solid tumor indications.

Pivekimab sunirine, currently in Phase 2, is an investigational anti-CD123 ADC targeting blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare blood cancer, which was granted FDA breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of relapsed/refractory BPDCN.

Financial Terms

AbbVie has acquired all outstanding ImmunoGen common stock for $31.26 per share. It is expected that ImmunoGen's common stock will cease to trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange prior to market open on February 12, 2024. AbbVie expects its acquisition of ImmunoGen to be accretive to AbbVie's diluted EPS beginning in 2027 and significantly accretive over the long-term.

Full-Year 2024 Outlook

AbbVie is reaffirming its previously issued 2024 full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance range of $11.05-$11.25. This guidance now includes a $0.42 per share dilutive impact related to the completed ImmunoGen acquisition, as well as the pending Cerevel Therapeutics acquisition, which is anticipated to close in mid-2024. AbbVie's 2024 adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes any impact from acquired IPR&D and milestones that may be incurred during 2024, as both cannot be reliably forecasted.

AbbVie is updating its previously issued 2024 first-quarter adjusted diluted EPS guidance range from $2.30-$2.34 to $2.26-$2.30. This guidance now includes a $0.04 per share dilutive impact related to the ImmunoGen acquisition. AbbVie's 2024 first-quarter adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes any impact from acquired IPR&D and milestones that may be incurred in the quarter, as both cannot be reliably forecasted.

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