AbbVie is taking a different tack in lung cancer, opting to develop both bispecific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) rather than picking one path. The company argues that the complexity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) demands more than a single approach. Recent clinical and translational results presented at WCLC 2026 reflect this shift, as AbbVie targets tumor diversity and resistance head-on.
In squamous NSCLC, AbbVie’s PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody ABBV-1480 (RC148) showed a 90% objective response rate (ORR) when combined with platinum chemotherapy. The non-squamous group reached a 75.9% ORR at the recommended Phase 3 dose of 10 mg/kg. These findings, presented at WCLC 2026 and detailed in the OncLive clinical report, suggest this bispecific approach could raise the bar for first-line NSCLC treatment.
The global Phase 3 AMUR-Lung-01 trial for RC148 (ABBV-1480) has already received approval to begin, marking a rapid transition from early efficacy to registrational studies.
AbbVie is also advancing its SEZ6-targeted ADC, ABBV-706, which uses a Top1 inhibitor payload. SEZ6 expression was found in 91% of SCLC patients overall and in more than 96% of those with brain or liver metastases. In patients treated in the second-line setting only, response rates topped 80% and overall survival reached 14.3 months. Early data combining ABBV-706 with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor in heavily pretreated patients has sparked interest in moving this strategy earlier in treatment. However, independent sources confirm only that ABBV-706 remains active in AbbVie’s lung cancer and SCLC pipeline, while specific efficacy numbers need further confirmation, as noted in the Morgan Stanley conference transcript.
Why pursue both bispecifics and ADCs? Daejin Abidoye points to the biology: NSCLC is driven by a mix of oncogenic mutations and resistance pathways. ADCs deliver targeted cell killing, while immunotherapies work on the immune system and tumor environment. Combining these could improve both response rates and how long those responses last—something single-modality treatments have struggled to achieve.
Second-line results for ABBV-706 show more of the same: a confirmed ORR of 56% overall and 82% in second-line-only patients. The drug’s tolerability is emerging as a key advantage, letting patients stay on treatment longer with fewer interruptions or dose changes. In lung cancer, where quality of life is often traded for small gains, this matters.
At WCLC 2026, AbbVie and RemeGen's licensing deal for RC148 was highlighted, with AbbVie paying $650 million upfront for rights outside Greater China, up to $4.95 billion in potential milestone payments, and double-digit royalties on net sales.
Sohu, Industry News Portal
AbbVie is putting more emphasis on precision. Molecular design and biomarker selection are now central to its plans. Temab-A, for example, showed response rates between 51% and 70% depending on c-Met expression and EGFR status, underlining the need to match treatment to tumor biology. The company is moving toward biomarker-driven care—identifying patients most likely to benefit and focusing trials on those groups. PD-L1 already guides checkpoint inhibitor use, but AbbVie expects deeper molecular profiling to further refine who should get which therapy.
Technology is speeding up this process. Machine learning and AI are being used to improve patient selection, predict resistance, and fine-tune dosing and safety. Real-world data, combined with AI, could help close the gap between clinical trial results and what happens in practice, potentially making new medicines available faster.
AbbVie’s strategy is a response to the stubborn biology of lung cancer. By developing both bispecifics and ADCs, and investing in biomarker-driven, AI-supported approaches, the company is betting that a more complex, tailored strategy will pay off. Early results are promising, but the real test will be whether this approach can deliver lasting remissions where others have not. For now, AbbVie is choosing to tackle the complexity of lung cancer head-on, rather than looking for a single solution.
