NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced the global Phase 3 VERONA trial evaluating venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in the treatment of newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS) did not meet the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.908; stratified log-rank, p=0.3772. No new safety signals were observed.1 Results from the VERONA trial will be available in a future medical congress and/or publication. Any patients who received venetoclax in combination with azacitidine through participation in the MDS clinical trials will be informed by their treating physician.
These data do not impact any current approved indications for venetoclax.
About the Phase 3 VERONA Trial
VERONA is a global Phase 3 randomized, controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of venetoclax in combination with azacitidine compared to azacitidine and placebo, in the treatment of newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (higher-risk MDS). The primary outcome measure is overall survival (OS). Key secondary outcome measures include modified overall response (mOR) and complete remission (CR).
More information can be found https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04401748.
About VENCLEXTA®/VENCLYXTO® (venetoclax)
VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers, BCL-2 prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, called apoptosis. VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.
VENCLEXTA/VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers. Venetoclax is approved in more than 80 countries, including the U.S.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for patients living with difficult-to-treat cancers. We are advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types in both blood cancers and solid tumors. We are focusing on creating targeted medicines that either impede the reproduction of cancer cells or enable their elimination. We achieve this through various, targeted treatment modalities and biology interventions, including small molecule therapeutics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), immuno-oncology-based therapeutics, multispecific antibody and in situ CAR-T platforms. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potential breakthrough medicines.
Today, our expansive oncology portfolio comprises approved and investigational treatments for a wide range of blood and solid tumors. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in multiple clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines.
References
1. Study Of Venetoclax Tablet With Intravenous or Subcutaneous Azacitidine to Assess Change in Disease Activity In Adult Participants With Newly Diagnosed Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Verona). http://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04401748. Accessed June 10, 2025.
2. VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) [Package Insert]. North Chicago, IL.: AbbVie Inc.