New York, May 21, 2026, 17:05 (EDT)
Abivax SA shares traded higher on Nasdaq Thursday. Traders pointed to renewed interest in the latest SEC filing, while the market watches for late-quarter data on the company’s main ulcerative colitis drug.
The French biotech’s American Depositary Shares were last at $124.03, up 3.5%. About 1.65 million shares changed hands. The ADSs moved between $117.23 and $126.37 in the session.
Abivax is pointing to late-Q2 for topline data from the 44-week maintenance part of its Phase 3 ABTECT study testing obefazimod in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis. Phase 3 trials are usually needed for regulatory approval. The company said it aims to file in the U.S. later in 2026 if results look good.
Abivax shares finished the Paris session at 105.10 euros, up 2.14%. Shares hit 105.30 euros earlier but stayed well under the 52-week high of 132 euros. Still, the stock is trading far above its 5 euro low for the period.
Shareholders backed every proposal at the May 11 annual meeting, according to the May 20 Form 6-K. Turnout was 86.06%. Items approved included capital-raising mandates and a U.S. at-the-market (ATM) program, which lets the company sell shares into the market over time. That measure got 78.20% of votes in favor, with 21.80% against.
The vote comes after Abivax took steps to tidy up its capital structure earlier this month. On May 5, Abivax said it would buy back royalty certificates for $90 million—paying half in cash and the rest with 403,347 ADSs at $111.57 each. “Strengthening our balance sheet remains a core priority,” Chief Financial Officer Didier Blondel said. Abivax
Abivax said the royalty deal won’t shift its expected cash runway, which stays into the fourth quarter of 2027. The company also cautioned that selling more shares might put pressure on the ADS price, and raising fresh capital could dilute existing shareholders.
Abivax isn’t flying under the radar anymore. The stock has been listed on Euronext Paris since 2015 and joined the Nasdaq Global Market in October 2023. It was added to the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index before the market opened on Dec. 22, 2025.
Rivalry from big players is heating up. Drugmakers like Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and Roche are buying up inflammatory-disease assets. Analysts are watching to see if obefazimod, an oral drug for inflammatory bowel, can separate itself. Last year, Leerink Partners’ Thomas J. Smith called it a “compelling balance of efficacy, safety and convenience,” per BioPharma Dive. BioPharma Dive
Takeover rumors have been in play for the stock. Back in January, CEO Marc de Garidel called talk connecting Abivax to Eli Lilly “noise” and told reporters “our duty is not to be distracted.” At the time, Reuters said Morgan Stanley, Piper Sandler and Truist analysts bumped targets to $140-$145, pointing to obefazimod’s commercial potential and Abivax’s draw as a possible buyout. Reuters
But the setup isn’t all positive. If maintenance results come in weak or mixed, that strikes at why investors hold the stock. Even a solid readout still has to pass a regulatory look. The ATM green light hands the board more options, though for holders it’s the usual biotech worry. More shares on the table can dilute value or cut into potential gains per share.
Abivax’s next spot on the calendar is Q1 2026 results, set for May 25. That leaves the stock with few numbers to digest before then, so trading will probably stick to bets on the upcoming obefazimod maintenance readout.
