AbbVie’s AFFIRM Trial Yields 55% Remission, 44% Endoscopic Response in Refractory Crohn’s
AbbVie’s Phase 3 AFFIRM study showed 55% of risankizumab-treated Crohn’s patients achieved clinical remission at week 12 versus 30% on placebo, with 44% demonstrating endoscopic response versus 14%. The trial’s 65% treatment-refractory population success and stable 75% capture rate bolster Skyrizi’s positioning against Johnson & Johnson’s Tremfya.
1. AFFIRM Trial Results
The Phase 3 AFFIRM study evaluated risankizumab in predominantly treatment-refractory Crohn’s patients, with 65% having failed two or more advanced therapies. Results showed 55% achieved clinical remission at week 12 compared to 30% with placebo, and 44% experienced endoscopic response versus 14% in the control arm.
2. Competitive Positioning
Strong AFFIRM outcomes strengthen Skyrizi’s profile against Johnson & Johnson’s Tremfya, which currently benefits from a fully subcutaneous regimen. AbbVie plans to explore a subcutaneous induction pathway to close the convenience gap and sustain its roughly 75% in-play capture rate in frontline IBD.
3. Technical and Analyst Outlook
AbbVie shares trading above their 20- and 100-day SMAs reflect positive market sentiment, despite neutral RSI and mildly bearish MACD suggesting mixed momentum. Analysts maintain a Buy consensus with an average price target near $241, and several firms have initiated Outperform or Overweight ratings with targets up to $299.