AbbVie Enters Obesity Market with $2.3 Billion Gubra Deal for Amylin Analog
AbbVie has agreed to license GUB014295, an obesity drug in development, from Danish biotech firm Gubra for up to $2.3 billion14.
The deal includes a $350 million upfront payment and up to $1.875 billion in potential development and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties12.
GUB014295 is a long-acting amylin analog that targets both amylin and calcitonin receptors, designed to suppress appetite and reduce food intake17.
The drug is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, with preliminary data showing a 3% weight loss sustained for six weeks after a single dose1.
This deal marks AbbVie's entry into the competitive obesity treatment market, which is expected to reach $130 billion in annual sales by 203024.
AbbVie will lead further clinical development and commercialization of GUB014295 globally110.
The obesity market is currently dominated by GLP-1 drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, but amylin analogs represent a potentially less crowded field12.
This licensing agreement is seen as part of AbbVie's strategy to find new revenue sources as its blockbuster drug Humira faces declining sales2.
Sources:
1. https://medcitynews.com/2025/03/abbvie-obesity-weight-loss-amylin-calcitonin-dacra-gubra-abbv/
2. https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/abbvie-enters-obesity-drug-market-with-up-to-2-2-billion-gubra-deal-125030300810_1.html
4. https://www.investopedia.com/abbvie-joins-obesity-treatment-market-with-up-to-usd2-2b-licensing-deal-11689743
7. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/abbvie-enters-obesity-space-with-2-3bn-gubra-deal/
10. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbvie-and-gubra-announce-license-agreement-to-develop-an-amylin-analog-for-the-treatment-of-obesity-302389687.html