Back to top

Image: Bigstock

AbbVie's HCV Combo Favorable in Japanese Phase III Study

Read MoreHide Full Article

AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) announced positive top-line data from a phase III study on its pan-genotypic ribavirin (RBV)-free regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) in Japanese patients. The combination drug is being assessed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV).

So far this year, AbbVie’s share price has increased 2.6%, better than the 1.8% gain recorded by the Zacks classified Large-Cap Pharma industry.

Data from the phase III CERTAIN-1 study showed that eight weeks of treatment with G/P led to high SVR12 rates in Japanese patients suffering from genotype 1 (GT1) chronic HCV without cirrhosis. Data showed that 99% of chronic HCV-infected patients without cirrhosis, and without the Y93H variant, achieved SVR12 with eight weeks of treatment with G/P.

HCV affects around 1 million people in Japan, which accounts for one of the highest rates of the infection in the industrialized world. Moreover, around 60–70% of these patients are infected with GT1 chronic HCV, indicating significant need for medicines in this field.

CERTAIN-1, which compared eight weeks of treatment with the G/P regimen with 12 weeks of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r), is part of AbbVie's global G/P clinical development program.

In Dec 2016, AbbVie submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for G/P based on data from eight registration studies in the G/P clinical development program. Data from the studiesshowed that eight weeks of treatment with G/P achieved high SVR12 rates across all major genotypes of chronic HCV.

AbbVie has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Epizyme, Inc. , Kite Pharma, Inc. and Anika Therapeutics Inc. (ANIK - Free Report) .  While Epizyme and Kite Pharma sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Anika has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Epizyme’s loss estimates narrowed 2.3% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted lower-than-expected losses in each of the four trailing quarters, with an average positive surprise of 14.03%.

Kite Pharma’s loss estimates narrowed by 2.1% for 2017 over the last 30 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in two of the four trailing quarters, with an average beat of 7.89%.

Anika’s earnings estimates for 2017 were up 0.5% in the last 60 days. The company has recorded a positive earnings surprise in each of the last four quarters, the average being 33.14%. Its share price gained 28.3% in 2016.

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold.  Be among the very first to see them >>


Unique Zacks Analysis of Your Chosen Ticker


Pick one free report - opportunity may be withdrawn at any time


AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Anika Therapeutics Inc. (ANIK) - $25 value - yours FREE >>

Published in