Genmab and AbbVie reassess epcoritamab strategy after Phase 3 trial failure

Genmab A/S and AbbVie Inc. faced a setback regarding their jointly developed drug, epcoritamab, after a Phase 3 study failed to meet its primary endpoint in the United States. The trial evaluated the bispecific antibody as a monotherapy for adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study's results indicated that epcoritamab did not significantly improve overall survival compared to existing chemotherapy options, prompting both companies to reassess the data with regulators.

This development comes at a critical time for Genmab, which recently reported strong financial results for the first half of 2026. The company generated $2.051 billion in total revenue, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. This growth was mainly driven by royalties from its partnership with Johnson & Johnson, particularly from the drug DARZALEX, which saw net sales rise to $8.171 billion. Genmab also raised its full-year revenue guidance due to the strong demand for its products, including EPKINLY, which contributed to a positive market reaction.

AbbVie, on the other hand, reported a robust Q2 2026, with net revenues reaching $16.99 billion, a 10.2% increase year-over-year. The growth was fueled by its immunology portfolio, which includes blockbuster drugs Skyrizi and Rinvoq. AbbVie has managed to offset declining sales from Humira while also expanding its pipeline with additional products. Analysts have responded favorably, upgrading AbbVie’s stock rating and highlighting its diversified cash flows as a buffer against setbacks like the one seen with epcoritamab.

The future of both companies hinges on navigating this regulatory challenge. While AbbVie enjoys a more diversified portfolio that mitigates risks from individual trials, Genmab’s focus on high-growth potential drugs could still prove beneficial if it successfully addresses the issues surrounding epcoritamab. The upcoming discussions with regulators will be crucial in determining the drug's path forward and its impact on both companies' financial prospects.