Abivax surges on report of renewed Lilly buyout speculation

Abivax SA

12/01/2026 11:22

** U.S.-listed shares of French biotech firm Abivax ABVX.PA, ABVX.O rise 32% to $151 premarket after fresh takeover chatter

** U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly LLY.N may bid 15 billion euros ($17.52 billion) for Abivax, nearly double its current market cap, French media reports

** Abivax and Eli Lilly did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment

** Abivax is developing an experimental drug, obefazimod, for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and its CEO has said it could become a widely used product

** The first takeover rumors linking Eli Lilly to Abivax surfaced on December 10

** ABVX soared 1,749% in 2025

($1 = 0.8560 euros)

 (Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru)

 ((Kamal.Choudhury@thomsonreuters.com;))