Eli Lilly Plans €15 Billion Acquisition of Abivax
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 12 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ABVX?
Source: stocktwits
Abivax's shares fell 5.21% as it crossed below the 5-day SMA amid strong market gains in the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500.
Eli Lilly is reportedly considering acquiring French biotech company Abivax for €15 billion, nearly double Abivax's current market capitalization, indicating strong recognition of its potential value. Analysts from Morgan Stanley and BTIG have raised their price targets for Abivax to $145 and $150, respectively, reflecting positive outlooks on its experimental drug obefazimod, which is expected to become widely used in the next decade. This acquisition speculation not only boosts Abivax's market valuation but may also trigger further M&A activity within the biotech sector, intensifying competition in the market.
The potential acquisition by Eli Lilly highlights Abivax's strategic value in the biotech sector, especially with the promising outlook for obefazimod. Despite the stock's decline today, the ongoing acquisition discussions could lead to significant future gains for Abivax.
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Analyst Views on ABVX
Wall Street analysts forecast ABVX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ABVX is 153.88 USD with a low forecast of 131.00 USD and a high forecast of 176.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
9 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 110.710
Low
131.00
Averages
153.88
High
176.00
Current: 110.710
Low
131.00
Averages
153.88
High
176.00
About ABVX
Abivax SA is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery, development and commercialization of anti-viral compounds and therapeutic vaccines against severe and life threatening infectious diseases. ABIVAX utilizes RNA-protein interaction interference and cytotoxic TH1 cell amplification to generate therapies to help patients clear viruses like HIV, HBV and HPV. The Company's product pipeline comprises ABX 203, which is the therapeutic vaccine candidate obtained from the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cuba (CIGB) and is intended for patients with chronic hepatitis B disease; and ABX196, the adjuvant for therapeutic vaccines, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Investment Comparison: AbbVie vs. Abivax
- AbbVie's Market Position: As one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally, AbbVie boasts a strong presence in immunology with drugs like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq, which ranked fifth and fifteenth in global sales in the first half of 2025, demonstrating its robust competitive edge and stable revenue streams.
- Innovation and Growth Potential: AbbVie has a deep pipeline expected to yield new products, maintaining its competitive stance, while its status as a Dividend King, having increased payouts for over 50 years, makes it an attractive income stock for risk-averse investors.
- Abivax's Disruptive Potential: Abivax's candidate obefazimod shows promising efficacy in phase 3 trials for ulcerative colitis, potentially disrupting the market, although it currently generates no revenue and faces significant risks.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While investing in Abivax carries higher risks, successful market entry of obefazimod could yield substantial returns for investors, with the possibility of acquisition this year further enhancing its market value.
See More
Market Competition Analysis: AbbVie vs. Abivax
- AbbVie's Market Position: As one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally, AbbVie has established itself in immunology with products like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq; despite Humira losing patent exclusivity, Skyrizi and Rinvoq ranked fifth and fifteenth in global sales in the first half of 2025, ensuring consistent revenue and earnings for the company.
- Abivax's Potential: Abivax, a clinical-stage biotech firm, currently generates no revenue and is unprofitable, yet its candidate drug obefazimod shows promising clinical data for ulcerative colitis treatment, potentially disrupting the market.
- Investment Risks and Rewards: Investors choosing AbbVie can benefit from stable dividend income, being a
See More
Eli Lilly Denies Acquisition Talks with Abivax, CEO Reaffirms No Negotiations
- Acquisition Rumor Denial: Abivax CEO Marc de Garidel emphasized that no acquisition discussions with Eli Lilly took place, asserting that such conversations would be illegal, demonstrating the company's firm stance against external distractions.
- Stock Price Surge Context: Abivax's shares have skyrocketed over 1,700% in the past 12 months, primarily driven by acquisition rumors and promising clinical trial data for its lead asset, obefazimod, against ulcerative colitis, reflecting strong market interest in its future potential.
- Government Engagement Requirement: De Garidel pointed out that any foreign acquisition must first involve public transaction communication with the French government, which has not occurred, further confirming the falsehood of the acquisition rumors.
- Focus on Core Business: Despite the acquisition rumors generating market attention, De Garidel stressed that the company will concentrate on its core operations, avoiding distractions from external noise to ensure continued progress in its R&D and market strategies.
See More
Abivax (ABVX) Acquisition Potential Could Boost Shares by 72%
- Drug Development Progress: Abivax's leading drug candidate, obefazimod, has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, with 47.3% of patients having inadequate responses to prior therapies, indicating its potential to outperform existing drugs in the ulcerative colitis market.
- Market Valuation Surge: Currently valued at €8.74 billion (approximately $10.15 billion), Abivax is reportedly targeted for a €15 billion ($17.42 billion) acquisition by Eli Lilly, representing a 72% premium, highlighting its attractiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Competitive Advantage Emergence: The unique mechanism of obefazimod allows it to control ulcerative colitis symptoms without compromising the immune system, potentially attracting a broader patient population and enhancing Abivax's market competitiveness.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While the prospects for obefazimod are promising, potential clinical or regulatory setbacks could impact stock prices, necessitating careful consideration of acquisition possibilities and their effects on share value.
See More
Abivax Shares Surge 1,740%, Eli Lilly May Bid €15 Billion for Acquisition
- Drug Development Progress: Abivax's leading candidate obefazimod demonstrated statistically significant remission in a phase 3 trial, with 47.3% of patients showing inadequate responses to prior therapies, indicating its potential to attract a broader patient population in the competitive ulcerative colitis market.
- Market Valuation Surge: Currently valued at €8.74 billion ($10.15 billion), Abivax may receive a €15 billion ($17.42 billion) acquisition bid from Eli Lilly, representing a 72% premium over its current market cap, reflecting high market confidence in its growth potential.
- Competitive Industry Advantage: Obefazimod's unique mechanism allows it to control ulcerative colitis symptoms without compromising the immune system, positioning it to potentially exceed blockbuster status and generate significant revenue and market share for Abivax.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While obefazimod's prospects are promising, potential clinical or regulatory setbacks could impact stock performance, necessitating cautious evaluation by investors, especially given the volatility that may arise if acquisition news remains unconfirmed.
See More
Micron Technology (MU) to Acquire Taiwanese Chip Fab for $1.8B
- Acquisition Announcement: Micron Technology has announced plans to acquire a chip fabrication site in Taiwan for $1.8 billion in cash, which will enhance its production capabilities in the global semiconductor market, particularly in AI and high-performance computing.
- Market Consolidation: TransDigm has agreed to acquire Jet Parts Engineering and Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings for approximately $2.2 billion in cash, further solidifying its leadership position in the aerospace parts market, which is expected to boost its revenue and market share.
- Steel Industry Restructuring: Worthington Steel announced the acquisition of metal processing firm Kloeckner & Co. for $2.4 billion, which is expected to make it the second-largest steel service center in North America, significantly enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Potential Merger: Coterra Energy is in talks with Devon Energy about a potential merger, which, if completed, would rank among the largest oil and gas deals in years, potentially reshaping the industry landscape and enhancing the market positions of both companies.
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Investment Comparison: AbbVie vs. Abivax
- AbbVie's Market Position: As one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally, AbbVie boasts a strong presence in immunology with drugs like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq, which ranked fifth and fifteenth in global sales in the first half of 2025, demonstrating its robust competitive edge and stable revenue streams.
- Innovation and Growth Potential: AbbVie has a deep pipeline expected to yield new products, maintaining its competitive stance, while its status as a Dividend King, having increased payouts for over 50 years, makes it an attractive income stock for risk-averse investors.
- Abivax's Disruptive Potential: Abivax's candidate obefazimod shows promising efficacy in phase 3 trials for ulcerative colitis, potentially disrupting the market, although it currently generates no revenue and faces significant risks.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While investing in Abivax carries higher risks, successful market entry of obefazimod could yield substantial returns for investors, with the possibility of acquisition this year further enhancing its market value.
See More
Market Competition Analysis: AbbVie vs. Abivax
- AbbVie's Market Position: As one of the largest pharmaceutical companies globally, AbbVie has established itself in immunology with products like Humira, Skyrizi, and Rinvoq; despite Humira losing patent exclusivity, Skyrizi and Rinvoq ranked fifth and fifteenth in global sales in the first half of 2025, ensuring consistent revenue and earnings for the company.
- Abivax's Potential: Abivax, a clinical-stage biotech firm, currently generates no revenue and is unprofitable, yet its candidate drug obefazimod shows promising clinical data for ulcerative colitis treatment, potentially disrupting the market.
- Investment Risks and Rewards: Investors choosing AbbVie can benefit from stable dividend income, being a
See More
Eli Lilly Denies Acquisition Talks with Abivax, CEO Reaffirms No Negotiations
- Acquisition Rumor Denial: Abivax CEO Marc de Garidel emphasized that no acquisition discussions with Eli Lilly took place, asserting that such conversations would be illegal, demonstrating the company's firm stance against external distractions.
- Stock Price Surge Context: Abivax's shares have skyrocketed over 1,700% in the past 12 months, primarily driven by acquisition rumors and promising clinical trial data for its lead asset, obefazimod, against ulcerative colitis, reflecting strong market interest in its future potential.
- Government Engagement Requirement: De Garidel pointed out that any foreign acquisition must first involve public transaction communication with the French government, which has not occurred, further confirming the falsehood of the acquisition rumors.
- Focus on Core Business: Despite the acquisition rumors generating market attention, De Garidel stressed that the company will concentrate on its core operations, avoiding distractions from external noise to ensure continued progress in its R&D and market strategies.
See More
Abivax (ABVX) Acquisition Potential Could Boost Shares by 72%
- Drug Development Progress: Abivax's leading drug candidate, obefazimod, has shown significant efficacy in clinical trials, with 47.3% of patients having inadequate responses to prior therapies, indicating its potential to outperform existing drugs in the ulcerative colitis market.
- Market Valuation Surge: Currently valued at €8.74 billion (approximately $10.15 billion), Abivax is reportedly targeted for a €15 billion ($17.42 billion) acquisition by Eli Lilly, representing a 72% premium, highlighting its attractiveness in the biopharmaceutical sector.
- Competitive Advantage Emergence: The unique mechanism of obefazimod allows it to control ulcerative colitis symptoms without compromising the immune system, potentially attracting a broader patient population and enhancing Abivax's market competitiveness.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While the prospects for obefazimod are promising, potential clinical or regulatory setbacks could impact stock prices, necessitating careful consideration of acquisition possibilities and their effects on share value.
See More
Abivax Shares Surge 1,740%, Eli Lilly May Bid €15 Billion for Acquisition
- Drug Development Progress: Abivax's leading candidate obefazimod demonstrated statistically significant remission in a phase 3 trial, with 47.3% of patients showing inadequate responses to prior therapies, indicating its potential to attract a broader patient population in the competitive ulcerative colitis market.
- Market Valuation Surge: Currently valued at €8.74 billion ($10.15 billion), Abivax may receive a €15 billion ($17.42 billion) acquisition bid from Eli Lilly, representing a 72% premium over its current market cap, reflecting high market confidence in its growth potential.
- Competitive Industry Advantage: Obefazimod's unique mechanism allows it to control ulcerative colitis symptoms without compromising the immune system, positioning it to potentially exceed blockbuster status and generate significant revenue and market share for Abivax.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While obefazimod's prospects are promising, potential clinical or regulatory setbacks could impact stock performance, necessitating cautious evaluation by investors, especially given the volatility that may arise if acquisition news remains unconfirmed.
See More
Micron Technology (MU) to Acquire Taiwanese Chip Fab for $1.8B
- Acquisition Announcement: Micron Technology has announced plans to acquire a chip fabrication site in Taiwan for $1.8 billion in cash, which will enhance its production capabilities in the global semiconductor market, particularly in AI and high-performance computing.
- Market Consolidation: TransDigm has agreed to acquire Jet Parts Engineering and Victor Sierra Aviation Holdings for approximately $2.2 billion in cash, further solidifying its leadership position in the aerospace parts market, which is expected to boost its revenue and market share.
- Steel Industry Restructuring: Worthington Steel announced the acquisition of metal processing firm Kloeckner & Co. for $2.4 billion, which is expected to make it the second-largest steel service center in North America, significantly enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Potential Merger: Coterra Energy is in talks with Devon Energy about a potential merger, which, if completed, would rank among the largest oil and gas deals in years, potentially reshaping the industry landscape and enhancing the market positions of both companies.
See More
