The Outpatient Feasibility of Epcoritamab and Its Implications for AbbVie's Market Expansion in Hematology

AbbVie’s bispecific antibody epcoritamab (Epkinly) is reshaping the treatment landscape for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL), with its outpatient feasibility emerging as a pivotal differentiator. Clinical trials, including the Phase 2 EPCORE® NHL-6 study, demonstrate that 92% of patients receiving epcoritamab monotherapy could be safely monitored in outpatient settings after the first full dose, with adverse events like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) remaining predominantly low-grade [1]. This contrasts sharply with CAR-T therapies and other bispecifics, which often necessitate inpatient monitoring due to higher toxicity risks. For investors, this outpatient model not only enhances patient access but also unlocks significant cost savings for healthcare systems, positioning epcoritamab as a strategic asset in AbbVie’s hematology portfolio.

Strategic Advantages: Outpatient Feasibility and Cost Efficiency

The ability to administer epcoritamab in outpatient settings directly addresses a critical pain point in oncology care: the high costs and logistical challenges of inpatient treatment. A clinical efficiency analysis reveals that epcoritamab requires the shortest personnel and chair time compared to competitors like axi-cel and glofitamab, translating into institutional cost savings of $1,563 versus glofitamab and $1,300 versus axi-cel [1]. These savings stem from reduced inpatient resource utilization, shorter treatment durations, and subcutaneous administration, which eliminates the need for intravenous infusion infrastructure. For AbbVie, this efficiency enhances the drug’s commercial appeal, particularly in value-driven healthcare markets where payers prioritize cost-effective therapies.

Moreover, epcoritamab’s outpatient model aligns with broader industry trends toward decentralized care. As healthcare systems increasingly adopt value-based care models, therapies that reduce hospitalization rates and improve patient quality of life are likely to gain preferential reimbursement and adoption. AbbVie’s ability to demonstrate these benefits through real-world data—such as the ongoing EpcoReal observational study—could further solidify epcoritamab’s position in treatment guidelines [2].

Financial Implications: Revenue Growth and Competitive Positioning

AbbVie’s oncology segment has already seen robust growth, with $3.3 billion in combined revenues for the first half of 2025, driven by Venclexta, Imbruvica, and newer entrants like Elahere and Epkinly [3]. Epcoritamab’s unique value proposition is expected to amplify this momentum. Analysts project the drug could reach $3.94 billion in annual sales by 2031, fueled by label expansions into additional lymphoma subtypes and its role as a bridge to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in DLBCL [4].

Competitively, epcoritamab’s outpatient feasibility and safety profile give it an edge over Roche’s glofitamab and mosunetuzumab, which have reported higher-grade CRS events in trials [5]. In indirect comparisons, epcoritamab has shown superior overall response rates (ORRs) and overall survival in relapsed/refractory DLBCL, with an 87% ORR in combination with R-ICE for transplant-eligible patients [6]. These results, coupled with its subcutaneous dosing, position it as a preferred alternative to CAR-T therapies, which require complex manufacturing and inpatient management.

Market Expansion and Long-Term Outlook

AbbVie’s strategic investments in epcoritamab’s development—spanning Phase 3 trials in first-line DLBCL and relapsed settings—underscore its ambition to dominate the bispecific antibody market. The recent FDA acceptance of a priority review for epcoritamab plus R2 in follicular lymphoma, with a target action date of November 30, 2025, could unlock new revenue streams in 2026 [3]. Additionally, the drug’s potential in heavily pretreated patients, including those refractory to CAR-T, broadens its addressable market [7].

Financially, AbbVie’s ex-Humira portfolio has driven a 3.71% year-over-year revenue increase from 2020 to 2024, reaching $56.334 billion in 2024 [8]. Epcoritamab’s contribution to this growth is poised to accelerate as its label expands and adoption rates rise. With a projected 5.8% year-over-year growth in AbbVie’s oncology segment in 2025 [3], the drug’s commercial success could further insulate the company from the decline of its flagship product, Humira.

Conclusion

Epcoritamab’s outpatient feasibility represents a paradigm shift in bispecific antibody commercialization, offering a compelling blend of clinical efficacy, safety, and cost efficiency. For AbbVie, this innovation not only strengthens its competitive positioning against CAR-T and rival bispecifics but also aligns with the financial imperatives of modern healthcare systems. As the drug navigates regulatory and market expansion milestones, its impact on AbbVie’s hematology revenue and market share is likely to be transformative. Investors should closely monitor its adoption rates, real-world evidence, and label expansions, which could redefine the economics of lymphoma treatment in the years ahead.

Source:
[1] Practice efficiency and total cost of care with bispecifics [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11508956/]
[2] AbbVie and Genmab's Real-World Study on Epcoritamab [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/GMAB-Q/pressreleases/33562556/abbvie-and-genmabs-real-world-study-on-epcoritamab-a-potential-game-changer-in-lymphoma-treatment/]
[3] ABBV's Improving Oncology Sales Poise It Well for Long-Term Growth [https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/abbvs-improving-oncology-sales-poise-it-well-long-term-growth]
[4] EHA 2025: Genmab and AbbVie's Epkinly Outpaces BiTE Rivals in r/r DLBCL Trial [https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/analyst-comment/eha-2025-genmab-abbvie-epkinly-dlbcl/]
[5] Comparisons of Treatment Outcomes of Epcoritamab Versus Chemoimmunotherapy, Polatuzumab-Based Regimens, Tafasitamab-Based Regimens, and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapies in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma and Large B-Cell Lymphoma [https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-024-01594-x]
[6] EHA 2025: Genmab and AbbVie's Epkinly Outpaces BiTE Rivals in r/r DLBCL Trial [https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/analyst-comment/eha-2025-genmab-abbvie-epkinly-dlbcl/]
[7] Heavily Pretreated Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12169811/]
[8] AbbVie Revenue 2010-2025 | ABBV [https://macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/ABBV/abbvie/revenue]