AbbVie Targets Post-ASCO Growth with New Oncology Trial Momentum

In an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Pedro Valencia, VP, asset strategy leadership, oncology, AbbVie, discussed the company’s expanding efforts in solid tumors, a space where it is still relatively new compared to its established presence in hematologic cancers. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, Valencia outlined AbbVie’s strategy for prioritizing tumor types and investigational therapies within its pipeline, emphasizing a data-driven, patient-centric approach. From recent antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approvals to promising early signals in rare neuroendocrine tumors, AbbVie is rapidly evolving its oncology footprint with the goal of transforming treatment paradigms and reducing reliance on traditional chemotherapy.

Pharmaceutical Executive: With ASCO 2025 data in hand, what are the most important inflection points or readouts the oncology community should watch for from AbbVie over the next 12–18 months?

Pedro Valencia: The oncology community should know that AbbVie is here to stay. We’re committed to rapidly expanding our antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) pipeline, with a vision to ultimately replace chemotherapy in as many settings as possible.

Looking ahead, the next key inflection points will start in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). You’ll see telisotuzumab vedotin (teliso-v) progressing quickly into late-stage studies across both EGFR-mutant and EGFR wild-type settings. In EGFR-mutant NSCLC, we plan to evaluate teliso-v both as monotherapy and in combination with osimertinib, the current standard of care. In the EGFR wild-type population, teliso-v will be combined with pembrolizumab, aligning with standard treatment approaches. We expect these studies to begin by the end of this year.

In small cell lung cancer, ABBV-400 (also referred to as 706) will be moving into late-stage, frontline settings. Based on results, we’re preparing to explore combinations with anti–PD-(L)1 therapies—again, aiming to elevate the standard of care.

In gastrointestinal tumors, particularly colorectal and pancreatic cancers, we’ll be sharing additional data on teliso-v this year. This includes initiating and advancing registrational studies. We already have a Phase 3 trial underway in colorectal cancer and will continue building momentum there, potentially expanding into other tumor types based on emerging data.

And last but certainly not least: ovarian cancer. We’re focused on rapidly advancing elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine) into new treatment settings. This includes a second-line study for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer and a frontline trial in the HRP population in combination with bevacizumab, both of which are expected to begin by year-end.

We’re also pushing forward with next-generation FRα-targeted ADCs that go beyond elahere—agents designed to work not just in FRα-high tumors, but also in FRα-medium and low expressers, as well as across a broader range of tumor types. That pipeline will continue to expand in parallel.

Full Interview Summary: At the 2025 ASCO meeting, AbbVie highlighted its growing commitment to solid tumors by outlining how it prioritizes development within its oncology pipeline. While historically focused on hematologic malignancies, the company is now building momentum in solid tumors with an emphasis on unmet need, scientific opportunity, and potential for pipeline impact. AbbVie’s three current priority areas in solid tumors are gastrointestinal (especially colorectal), gynecologic (notably ovarian), and lung cancers. Recent approvals, including mirvetuximab for ovarian cancer and Teliso-V (telisotuzumab vedotin) for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mark significant progress.

Temab-A (and Teliso-V) targets c-Met, a protein overexpressed in multiple cancers, including lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers. Its broad expression makes c-Met a strong target for tumor-agnostic development, akin to HER2 or PD-1 therapies. AbbVie is exploring this approach with Temab-A in a trial spanning at least seven tumor types, including lung and colorectal cancers being the most advanced.

Another investigational therapy, ABBV-706, targets SEZ6, a lineage marker in neuroendocrine tumors, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Data presented at ASCO showed encouraging response rates of 30–50% in rare neuroendocrine tumors—substantially higher than typical chemotherapy response rates. AbbVie plans to expand 706 into late-stage studies for SCLC and explore other neuroendocrine populations.

Patient advocacy is central to AbbVie’s strategy, helping inform development priorities beyond survival endpoints. For example, patient feedback highlighted Elahere’s ability to avoid alopecia as a significant benefit.

Key near-term milestones include pivotal trial launches and data readouts across lung (EGFR-mutant and wild-type NSCLC, SCLC), GI (colorectal and pancreatic), and gynecologic cancers. AbbVie also plans to expand next-generation ADCs, aiming to broaden activity across varying levels of FRα expression and further reduce chemotherapy reliance.