AbCellera Stock Rises on Positive Phase 2 Menopause Drug Results

AbCellera Biologics Inc. saw its stock surge on Monday after announcing positive Phase 2 trial results for its experimental menopause treatment, ABCL635, which met its primary efficacy targets in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes. The Vancouver-based biotechnology company reported that a single 600mg subcutaneous dose of the nonhormonal antibody therapy significantly improved symptoms compared to a placebo in a study of 92 postmenopausal women.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that at four weeks, patients receiving ABCL635 experienced an 83% reduction in moderate-to-severe hot flash frequency from baseline, compared to a 33% reduction in the placebo group. This translated to a placebo-adjusted difference of 5.3 fewer hot flashes per day. For symptom severity, the treatment group saw a 58% reduction in scores, versus a 12% reduction for placebo, with the placebo-adjusted difference being 1.1 points. The company noted that the mean severity score in the ABCL635 group declined to a level indicative of mild events, while the placebo group's score remained indicative of moderate events.

Beyond the primary endpoints, the study found that...