AbbVie has agreed to acquire Apogee Therapeutics for approximately USD 10.9 billion in cash (USD 135.11 per share), a near-60% premium to the unaffected stock price.

The deal brings zumilokibart, a next-generation, ultra-long-acting anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody (mAb) with a 77-day half-life – enabling quarterly or even semi-annual subcutaneous dosing for atopic dermatitis and asthma. Phase II APEX data showed 65.9% of patients achieved EASI-75 at 16 weeks, significantly outperforming placebo, with sustained benefit through 52 weeks.

Apogee's pipeline also includes the combinations zumilokibart + APG990 (an anti-OX40L mAb) and zumilokibart + APG333 (anti-TSLP mAb) for hard-to-treat allergic inflammation, plus several preclinical candidates targeting IL-4Rα and IL-5. The acquisition fills a critical gap in AbbVie's immunology portfolio, complementing Skyrizi (targeting IL-23) and Rinvoq (JAK inhibitor) in type 2 inflammatory diseases.

Apogee's FcRn-binding YTE mutation platform, which extends antibody half-life 2- to 3-fold, is validated across multiple targets and could serve as a platform for future pipeline expansion. The deal underscores the industry shift toward ultra-long-acting biologics as a means to improve adherence and outcomes in chronic autoimmune conditions.