AbbVie Gains Lung Cancer ADC, Solid Tumor Platform With Stemcentrx Buyout

Apr 28 2016

• By Joseph Haas

Listen to this article

As part of its strategy to offset the coming Humira patent cliff, AbbVie Inc. is looking to oncology as a "significant pillar of growth" going forward, a gambit CEO Richard Gonzalez says will benefit greatly from both the pipeline candidates and the solid tumor R&D engine his company will obtain in the $5.8bn purchase of Stemcentrx announced April 28.

The transaction was unveiled in tandem with AbbVie's first quarter earnings call, during which the company reported an 18.2% year-over-year increase in net revenues to $5.96bn, with Humira (adalimumab) up 14.9% to $3.58bn. (Also see "Humira Competition Dominates AbbVie Earnings" - Scrip, 1 February, 2016.) The firm's hematology asset Imbruvica (ibrutinib), partnered with Johnson & Johnson, posted what Gonzalez termed "strong growth" to $381m on the quarter. J&J reported first quarter sales of $281m worldwide, up from $116m in the year-ago quarter. (Also see " JnJ Not Sweating Remicade Biosimilar Approval " - Scrip, 20 April, 2016.)

AbbVie hopes to continue its oncology expansion with the Stemcentrx play. The firm agreed to pay $2bn in cash and...

More from Business

Test Roche Head Of Pharma Strategy Karsten Jung On Rebuilding The Portfolio
Jan 23 2026
• By Jessica Merrill
The Swiss pharma company is rebalancing the portfolio, emphasizing best-in-class drugs and moving into new areas like cardiovascular and metabolic disease.
Quick Listen: Scrip’s Five Must-Know Things
Dec 09 2025
• By Reed Miller
In this week's episode: Trump’s UK drug pricing win; Novo explains semaglutide Alzheimer's rationale; J&J and Novartis on this year’s biggest M&A deals; a look at the mixed performance of CAR-Ts; and Akeso’s goals beyond ivonescimab.
Article Without An Author Listed
Nov 19 2025
Here is a short description.
Spotlight On RDCs, AOCs As Leading Novel Bioconjugates[Updated]
Nov 12 2025
Pipelines in bioconjugates continue to develop, from ADCs to XDCs, with radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs) and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) leading the expansion.

More from Scrip

EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance
Jul 15 2026
Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.
EHA: Lilly’s Jaypirca Posts First Phase III Triplet Win In CLL While BTK Degraders Advance - Clone
Jun 18 2026
Lilly's first Phase III triplet win opens the door to a label expansion in BTK-pretreated CLL, with analysts suggesting Jaypica could attain blockbuster status. However, the window to capitalize may be brief as next-generation BTK degraders close in with head-to-head trials.
Finance Watch: Biopharma IPOs On The Upswing, Including Ex-US Offerings
Jun 17 2026
ghghghghghjhjhjhj