Abivax SA (NASDAQ:ABVX) is preparing to raise capital following the release of key clinical trial data in June, signaling a preference for independent growth despite ongoing acquisition speculation, CEO Marc de Garidel told CNBC.

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The French biotech firm has been at the center of takeover rumors for months, with analysts identifying it as a potential acquisition target for large pharmaceutical companies.

Recently, AstraZeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) emerged as the leading contender to acquire the French biotech. The company later rebuffed the media reports.

Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) previously expressed interest.

But management's latest comments suggest the company is not under pressure to sell and is instead focused on strengthening its financial position ahead of a potential commercialization phase.

Upcoming Trial Seen As Major Catalyst

Investor attention is firmly fixed on Abivax's second late-stage trial evaluating the long-term maintenance effect of its lead drug candidate, obefazimod, for ulcerative colitis.

The independent Data Safety Monitoring board completed a safety review of the ongoing Phase 3 ABTECT-UC maintenance trial and reported no new safety signals.

Nearly 90% of enrolled participants have completed the 44-week treatment period.

The company remains on track to report topline results from its ABTECT-UC maintenance trials in the late second quarter of 2026.

The upcoming readout is widely viewed as a critical inflection point.

If results are positive, the company plans to submit for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in the fourth quarter.

Abivax stock skyrocketed in July 2025 after the company announced overwhelmingly positive topline results from its Phase 3 ABTECT-1 (Study 105) and ABTECT-2 (Study 106) trials for oral obefazimod (ABX464) for severely active ulcerative colitis.

Capital Raise Likely Post-Data Readout

CEO De Garidel indicated that Abivax is likely to pursue a mix of equity and debt financing after the trial readout, with funding needs expected to reach several million dollars.

The company is currently evaluating the size and timing of the raise, aiming to secure enough capital to advance operations toward profitability.

On Monday, Abivax reported cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of 530.4 million (around $614.42 million) as of Dec. 31, 2025.

It provides cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2027.

In July 2025, after the data readout, the company raised around $650 million via a capital raise.

Partnership Strategy Outside The U.S.

CNBC noted that, given its relatively small size of round 150 employees, Abivax does not plan to independently execute a global launch.

Instead, it intends to seek commercial partners for markets outside the U.S. following the maintenance data release.

Management noted that multiple partnerships could be considered depending on interest and strategic fit, reinforcing a flexible approach to global expansion.

ABVX Stock Price Activity: Abivax shares were down 4.83% at $109.84 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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