AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) announced that data from two phase III studies, EXPEDITION-1 and ENDURANCE-3, evaluating its investigational, pan-genotypic regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) for all genotypes of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) were presented at The International Liver Congress.
This next-generation HCV programis a combination of glecaprevir (300mg), an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, and pibrentasvir (120mg), an NS5A inhibitor, administered orally, once daily. AbbVie discovered glecaprevir while investigating HCV protease inhibitors and regimens in collaboration with Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ENTA - Free Report) . The goal is to bring a RBV-free once-daily pan-genotypic combination to the market.
In the past one year, AbbVie's shares outperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. AbbVie's shares returned 3.8% while the industry lost 3.1% in the same period.
We note that the single arm, open-label EXPEDITION-1 study, evaluated the G/P regimen without ribavirin for the treatment of patients with chronic Hepatitis C with genotype 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 and compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). The study met its primary endpoint. Data from the study showed that 99% of the patients treated with G/P achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).
The ENDURANCE-3 study evaluated ribavirin free G/P regimen for the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 3 infection without cirrhosis for 8 weeks. Full data from the study showed that 95% of the patients treated with G/P achieved SVR12 with both eight and twelve weeks of treatment with G/P. The study also demonstrated non-inferiority of the regimen in comparison to sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir (SOF+DCV), a current standard of care for the indication, in the 12-week study arm. We remind investors that top-line data presented from the same study last year showed that 97.5% of the patients treated with G/P achieved SVR12 in eight weeks. We remind investors that G/P is under priority review in the U.S. and Japan and was granted accelerated assessment by the EMA.
There are approximately 130 to 150 million people with chronic HCV with 15% - 30% risk of progression to cirrhosis of liver in the next 20 years. Therefore, the positive data from these studies demonstrate the possibility of the G/P regimen to be a standard of care for HCV genotypes.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Grifols, S.A. (GRFS - Free Report) and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. . Both Grifols and Infinity sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Grifols' earnings estimates increased 10.5% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company’s shares have appreciated 23.3% so far this year.
Shares of Infinity have gained 45.9% this year so far, while the company’s loss estimates for 2017 narrowed almost 6% in the past 60 days.
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It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
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AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) announced that data from two phase III studies, EXPEDITION-1 and ENDURANCE-3, evaluating its investigational, pan-genotypic regimen of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) for all genotypes of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) were presented at The International Liver Congress.
This next-generation HCV programis a combination of glecaprevir (300mg), an NS3/4A protease inhibitor, and pibrentasvir (120mg), an NS5A inhibitor, administered orally, once daily. AbbVie discovered glecaprevir while investigating HCV protease inhibitors and regimens in collaboration with Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ENTA - Free Report) . The goal is to bring a RBV-free once-daily pan-genotypic combination to the market.
In the past one year, AbbVie's shares outperformed the Zacks classified Large Cap Pharma industry. AbbVie's shares returned 3.8% while the industry lost 3.1% in the same period.
We note that the single arm, open-label EXPEDITION-1 study, evaluated the G/P regimen without ribavirin for the treatment of patients with chronic Hepatitis C with genotype 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 and compensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A). The study met its primary endpoint. Data from the study showed that 99% of the patients treated with G/P achieved sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).
The ENDURANCE-3 study evaluated ribavirin free G/P regimen for the treatment of patients with HCV genotype 3 infection without cirrhosis for 8 weeks. Full data from the study showed that 95% of the patients treated with G/P achieved SVR12 with both eight and twelve weeks of treatment with G/P. The study also demonstrated non-inferiority of the regimen in comparison to sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir (SOF+DCV), a current standard of care for the indication, in the 12-week study arm. We remind investors that top-line data presented from the same study last year showed that 97.5% of the patients treated with G/P achieved SVR12 in eight weeks. We remind investors that G/P is under priority review in the U.S. and Japan and was granted accelerated assessment by the EMA.
There are approximately 130 to 150 million people with chronic HCV with 15% - 30% risk of progression to cirrhosis of liver in the next 20 years. Therefore, the positive data from these studies demonstrate the possibility of the G/P regimen to be a standard of care for HCV genotypes.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
AbbVie currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A couple of better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Grifols, S.A. (GRFS - Free Report) and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. . Both Grifols and Infinity sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Grifols' earnings estimates increased 10.5% for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company’s shares have appreciated 23.3% so far this year.
Shares of Infinity have gained 45.9% this year so far, while the company’s loss estimates for 2017 narrowed almost 6% in the past 60 days.
More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple's 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.
A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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