New York, January 15, 2026, 12:11 (EST) — Regular session
- AbbVie shares dropped roughly 2% by midday, giving up gains from earlier in the session
- Executives revealed plans to develop an obesity platform using an amylin drug licensed from Gubra
- Investors are focused on Friday’s ex-dividend date and next month’s earnings report for clearer clues on timing and spending.
AbbVie shares dropped 2.1% to $217.13 Thursday following the company’s expanded plans for obesity treatments announced at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.
This matters since AbbVie is hunting for its next major growth driver, as its aging blockbuster Humira grapples with increased competition from biosimilars. Investors have shown they’re eager to back solid obesity treatments—and just as ready to slam unclear prospects.
Obesity drugs are turning into a fresh battleground for big pharma. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly currently lead the pack, but future victors may hinge on side effects, patient adherence, and whether payers continue to cover costs.
AbbVie announced Wednesday plans to boost its stake in the booming obesity market, building on GUBamy, a weight-loss drug it licensed last year from Denmark’s Gubra. Chief medical officer Roopal Thakkar highlighted the focus on “tolerability and durability” for patients who tend to “cycle off” first-generation treatments. Meanwhile, chief commercial officer Jeffrey Stewart linked the push to AbbVie’s existing aesthetics franchise, positioning it as a natural extension into weight-loss care. Reuters
GUBamy mimics amylin, a hormone tied to appetite and digestion. This contrasts with GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound, which copy gut hormones that promote fullness and reduce blood sugar.
AbbVie’s executives also sought to calm concerns at the same conference. CFO Scott Reents highlighted a “clear line of sight” for growth extending into the 2030s, pointing to 8% revenue growth in 2025 and a 19% jump in sales from its “growth platform.” Stewart described Skyrizi and Rinvoq as “exceptional products” with potential to capture more market share. Fierce Pharma
Traders have their eyes on the calendar as AbbVie’s ex-dividend date approaches Friday, January 16. Buyers on or after that date generally won’t qualify for the upcoming dividend payment.
Still, the obesity play carries clear risks. AbbVie is introducing a new approach into an already packed market, where competitors are ramping up production and battling for payer approval. Any trial hiccup or sluggish adoption might force investors to wait even longer for returns.
AbbVie plans to release its full-year and fourth-quarter earnings on February 4, ahead of the U.S. market open. Investors will be focused on updates regarding the obesity program and any related expenditures.
Right now, the next key date is Friday’s ex-dividend day. After that, all eyes turn to the February 4 earnings report — AbbVie’s first real opportunity to provide concrete figures and a timeline for its plans.
