AbbVie's Rinvoq Shows Promise in Alopecia Areata Trial, Analysts See Modest Upside

AbbVie's Rinvoq medication has shown positive results in a late-stage clinical trial for severe alopecia areata, achieving significant scalp hair regrowth in both 15mg and 30mg daily doses. The safety profile was consistent with past applications, with minimal serious side effects. Analysts forecast an average one-year price target of $216.94, indicating a 3.62% upside from the current trading price. The consensus recommendation from 31 brokerage firms is a 2.1 rating, or "Outperform," while GuruFocus analysis estimates a one-year GF Value of $190.95, suggesting a potential downside of 8.79%.

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) announced positive topline results from the second pivotal study (Study 1) of the Phase 3 UP-AA clinical program evaluating the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) for severe alopecia areata (AA). The study demonstrated that upadacitinib achieved the primary endpoint, with 45.2% and 55.0% of patients treated with 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, reaching 80% or more scalp hair coverage at week 24, as defined by the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score ≤ 201 [1].

Key secondary endpoints, including improvements in eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as the percentage of subjects with 90% or more scalp coverage (SALT ≤ 10) and complete scalp hair coverage (SALT=0) at week 24, were also met. The safety profile in alopecia areata was generally consistent with that in approved indications, and no new safety signals were identified in this study [1].

Kori Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical development, AbbVie, stated, "These positive results strengthen the growing body of evidence supporting the potential of upadacitinib to improve the lives of people with AA. We are very encouraged by the improvements in both scalp and non-scalp hair regrowth observed with both doses of upadacitinib and look forward to submitting these data to regulatory bodies, bringing us one step closer to delivering upadacitinib to those living with this complex immune-mediated disease" [1].

The study randomized 1,399 participants with severe AA ages 12 to 64 across 248 sites worldwide. The Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in adult and adolescent subjects with severe alopecia areata [1].

Analysts forecast an average one-year price target of $216.94 for AbbVie, indicating a 3.62% upside from the current trading price. The consensus recommendation from 31 brokerage firms is a 2.1 rating, or "Outperform," while GuruFocus analysis estimates a one-year GF Value of $190.95, suggesting a potential downside of 8.79% [2].

References:
[1] https://news.abbvie.com/2025-08-21-AbbVie-Announces-Positive-Topline-Results-from-Second-Phase-3-UP-AA-Trial-Evaluating-Upadacitinib-RINVOQ-R-for-Alopecia-Areata
[2] https://www.gurufocus.com/stock/ABBV