Abivax Shares Up 5% as Eli Lilly Plans $17.5B Acquisition
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 12 2026
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Shares of Abivax (ABVX) after higher after French paper La Lettre reported that Eli Lilly (LLY) is ready to offer $17.5B to buy the company but is waiting for the French Finance Ministry to indicate if a takeover would be subject to foreign investment controls. The ministry on Monday said it had not received a dossier for investment screening from Lilly and is not in contact with the company. Shares of Abivax are off their highs but remain up 5% to $120.22 in morning trading.
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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: 113.980
Low
131.00
Averages
153.88
High
176.00
Current: 113.980
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.
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.
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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.
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