Access to Medicine Index 2022 ▶ Company report cards

RA N KSCO R E19

1.84

17 (2021)*

AbbVie Inc
Stock exchange: NYSE • Ticker: ABBV • HQ: North Chicago, Illinois, USA • Employees: ~50,000

PERFORMANCE IN THE 2022 INDEX
19th place. AbbVie is in the lower ranks across all Technical
Areas. It engages in R&D for neglected tropical diseases but
lacks access plans for R&D projects in the pipeline. It engages
in non-exclusive voluntary licensing but has a comparatively

How score was achieved
3.43

Governance of Access
0.78

Research & Development

1.98

Product Delivery

poor performance in capacity building.

0

1

Governance of Access: 15th place. AbbVie performs below

2

3

Average

Leader4

5

average in this area. It has an access-to-medicine strategy, but
only has some compliance controls in place to mitigate therisk of non-compliance in countries in scope of the Index. It

Product Delivery: 18th place. AbbVie performs poorly indiscloses the outcomes of only a subset of its access-to-med-this area. The company has an average performance in its

icine activities.

approach to inclusive business models and supplying products through supranational procurers. However, its perfor-

Research & Development: 20th place. AbbVie performs

mance with regard to healthcare practitioner- and self-ad-

poorly in this area. AbbVie has a small-sized priority pipeline

ministered products is below average. The company engages

compared to its peers. The company does not have a frame-

in non-exclusive voluntary licencing for two compounds, ena-

work in place for systematic access planning and does notbling generic supply in 79 countries. AbbVie engages in healthhave access plans for any of its late-stage pipeline candidates.

systems strengthening initiatives but doesn't publicly disclose

It does not engage in R&D capacity building.

outcomes for most of these.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABBVIECHANGES SINCE THE 2021 INDEX

Develop access-related incentives for senior management. AbbVie has an access-to-• Established an ESG council to further strategic, enterprise-

medicine strategy, the Global Integrated Access Strategy (IAS), which serves as thealigned delivery on AbbVie’s ESG Framework which includes

foundation and starting point for regional (area level) and country (affiliate level) accessglobal patient access and affordability as a key material

strategies. Financial and non-financial incentives, oriented toward long-term goals, fordriver.

the CEO and in-country managers can be linked to this strategy.

• Newly established access strategy, the Global Integrated

Develop a structured access planning framework and ensure all late-stage R&D• Developed an Executive Council on Neglected Diseases thatprojects have comprehensive access plans. AbbVie can develop a formal accesscoordinates across the company to contribute innovativeplanning framework and accordingly apply access plans considering availability,

technologies, diverse compounds for screening, andaffordability and sustainable supply for all its projects, no later than Phase II. For

scientific expertise to partners to help address neglected

Strategy, covering all therapeutic areas.

example, it can disclose access plans for flubentylosin, an investigational treatment forriver blindness being developed in collaboration with DNDi.

tropical diseases.
• Announced a research collaboration with Scripps Research
to develop antiviral treatments for COVID-19.

Expand access to its hepatitis C product, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret®),through equitable pricing and/or increased non-exclusive voluntary licensing. AbbVie
can increase patient reach for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, indicated for the treatmentof chronic hepatitis C infection. It can expand its existing voluntary licence for thisproduct to countries with a high burden of this disease such as the Republic of Moldova,
Mongolia and Uzbekistan, or increase access by applying an equitable pricing strategy inthese countries.
AbbVie can expand access to innovative medicines for cancer and women’s healthproducts. The company can implement equitable access strategies and expand
registration of products such as elagolix (Orilissa®) for endometriosis. AbbVie can filefor registration in countries where the disease burden of endometriosis is the highest
such as Algeria, Mongolia and Papua New Guinea.

1

All companies were assessed based on
information that was valid in the latest
period of analysis (ending at 31 May2022). This data was either submitted bycompanies, found in the public domain or
was accessible through other sources.

The term LMICs is used to denote all
low- and middle-income countries inscope of the Index, except when analysing
companies’ access strategies where
the use of LMIC refers to lower-middle
income countries as per the World Bank

income groups classification. Likewise, theterms LIC and UMIC refer to low income
countries and upper-middle income
countries.
*In the 2021 Index, dense ranking wasused. In the 2022 Index, standard

competitive ranking is used. Therefore, adirect comparison with AbbVie's previous
rank is not possible.

Access to Medicine Index 2022 ▶ Company report cards

SALES AND OPERATIONSBusiness segments: Pharmaceutical sciences

AbbVie's products are sold in 81 out of 108

Therapeutic areas: Aesthetics, eye care,countries in scope of the Index. AbbVie has

Net revenue by segment (2021) – in USD

gastroenterology, immunology, neuroscience,sales offices in 17 countries, and sells via

Pharmaceutical sciences

oncology, virology, women's health and othersuppliers and/or pooled procurement in an		

specialty areas.

additional 64 countries.

Total

56.20 bn
56.20 bn

Product categories: Pharmaceuticals
M&A news: AbbVie acquired Syndesi
Therapeutics in March 2022 for USD 130 million
upfront payment.

Sales by geographic region60

Net revenue (Bn USD)

Sales in countries in scope

50
40
30
20
10
0

In scope, has sales offices
In scope, any sales

2017

2018

International

In scope, no sales

2019

2020

2021

USA

Not in scope

SAMPLE OF PIPELINE AND PORTFOLIO ASSESSED BY THE INDEXPIPELINE for diseases in scope

PORTFOLIO as selected for analysis by the Index

AbbVie has a total of 42 R&D projects in scope with six of these projects

AbbVie has 19 medicines in scope, 14 of which are on patent and twotargeting a priority disease. The other 36 R&D projects target othercontraceptive methods. 37% of the medicines (7) are on the WHO

diseases in scope. Of the projects targeting priority diseases, the focus

EML. The off-patent medicines target mainly non-communicable

is on HIV/AIDS (two projects). Of the projects targeting other diseases indiseases (NCDs) such as hypertensive heart disease (2), cancer (1) andscope, the focus is on oncology (31).

endometriosis (1). Furthermore, there is one off-patent medicine forNine R&D projects are in late-stage development that target either apreterm birth complications. The on-patent medicines mainly target NCDs,priority disease (2) or address a public health need in LMICs (7).* Evidence

such as mental health conditions (5) and cancer (2) and communicableof access planning was not reported for any of these projects.

diseases such as HIV/AIDS (2), and hepatitis C (2). In addition, one productis for endometriosis, one for migraine and other products target preterm
birth complications.

42 projects in the pipeline

21 products as selected for analysis by the Index†

Communicable**4

Communicable**

Neglected tropical2

Neglected tropical 0Maternal and neonatal 013

Non-communicableMultiple categories 02

Multiple categories
0

20
30
40
50
projects in the pipeline

10

20
30
40
50
products on the market

15

2

0

2

1

1

0

0

6

Contraceptives

Targets established R&D priorities

Addresses needs of LMICs*

8

3

4

0

0

Other projects in scope

13

6

2

0

0 21

*50 diseases and 243 product gaps inscope have been established as a priority by global health stakeholders. For
other diseases, the Index used a set of criteria to determine which projects in thepipeline offer a clear public health benefit to patients in LMICs. Only projects inthe clinical phase of development were
included for this analysis.
**Neglected tropical diseases, while also
communicable, are highlighted separately
throughout the Index.
***Other includes projects that have atechnical lifecycle and projects that fol-

Other‡

Total

1

Vaccines

Other

Non-EML1

Diagnostics

Total

0

Other***

0Registration/approval

50Phase III1

Phase II

11

4

Phase I3

off patent

Pre-clinical

Medicines on patent

Discovery

WHO EML

Breakdown of products
WHO EDL

10

Breakdown of projects

2

2

Maternal and neonatal

36

Non-communicable
0

4

14

2
0

0
0

low a different development cycle (e.g.
diagnostics).
†Products included in the analysis wereselected using a set of criteria determinedby stakeholder consensus.
‡Other includes vector control products.

0

Access to Medicine Index 2022 ▶ Company report cards

AbbVie Inc

GOVERNANCE OF ACCESSRANK 15SCORE 3.43

Has an access-to-medicine strategy with meas-

activities. It discloses its commitments, measur-of some components looked for by the Index:

urable objectives, integrated within the overall

able goals, objectives and targets for improving

audits (both internal and external) and formal

corporate strategy. AbbVie performs strongly.

access to medicine in countries in scope of theprocesses to ensure third-party compliance with

It has an access strategy, the Global Integrated

Index. For example, the company publicly sharescompany standards. However, AbbVie does not

Access Strategy (IAS), which serves as the foun-

how it contributes to the achievement of thedisclose to the Index whether there is fraud-spe-

dation and starting point for product specific

UN SDG3 targets. It shares the outcomes of its

cific risk assessment done in countries in scope

strategies at the regional (area) and country (affil-

access-to-medicine activities for only a subsetof the Index. Additionally, there is no evidenceiate) level. The IAS covers all of the therapeuticof initiatives, although it does so in a centralisedof a continuous monitoring system of activi-

areas in which the company is involved, includ-manner within its ESG Action Report.

ties or country-based assessments. No breaches

ing Immunology and Oncology and Specialty.

in countries in scope of the Index were publicly

The highest responsibility for access lies directly

Performs above average in responsible pro-with the board, with its Public Policy committee

motional practices. AbbVie's sales agents are

responsible for corporate responsibility aspects,

not incentivised solely on sales volume targets.

Does not publicly support the Doha Declaration

including access.

It does not publicly disclose information relatedon TRIPS and Public Health. AbbVie does

to transfers of values to healthcare profession-

not publicly share any support of the Doha

Provides evidence of financial access-relatedals (HCPs) in countries in scope of the Index (e.g.

Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health. There

incentives at the executive level. AbbVie per-payments for attending events or promotionalis evidence of industry association lobbying on

forms average in this area. It demonstrates

activities) unless required by local regulations, nor

IP and the usage of TRIPS flexibilities, namely ofevidence of having access-related incentives fordoes it disclose a policy limiting such transfers,

compulsory licensing, by national governments insenior executives under its key material driver ofbut it does have global, international, and local

some countries in scope of the Index. As a mem-Patient Affordability and Accessibility within its

policies for engaging with HCPs.

ber of the industry association, AbbVie, like all

ESG framework.

found in the period of analysis.

other member companies in scope of the Index, is
Has some compliance controls to ensure that

Publicly discloses outcomes of a subset ofgovernance efforts are not undermined by

its access-to-medicine activities. AbbVie per-non-compliant or corrupt activities. AbbVie has

forms well in transparency regarding accessan average performance, demonstrating evidence

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENTRANK 20by default connected to this activity.

SCORE 0.78

No structured process for access planning

Many projects address a public health need in

Does not publicly disclose R&D investment

reported. AbbVie does not report a structured

LMICs.* The company does not disclose evidence

data disaggregated by disease category, prod-

process to develop access plans during R&D. Theof access plans for any of the late-stage projects.

uct type or phase of development. However,company did not report a structured timeline

In this analysis, AbbVie has seven late-stage R&D

AbbVie does disclose fully disaggregated R&D

for the development of access plans for its R&D

projects that target a disease and/or product gap

investment data to Policy Cures Research.

projects.

not yet established as a priority by global healthstakeholders. These projects are all deemed by

No R&D capacity building initiatives included

A small-sized priority R&D pipeline compared

the Index to offer a clear benefit for people living

for evaluation. There is no evidence — in theto its peers. AbbVie has six projects, including

in LMICs.* Primarily, these projects are first-in-

public domain or disclosed to the Index — of

two late-stage candidates in its pipeline that tar-class molecules. Most target cancer. AbbVie did

R&D capacity building initiatives active during the

get a priority product gap. The priority pipeline

not disclose evidence of access plans for any ofperiod of analysis that met inclusion criteria forfocuses on various diseases, including HIV/AIDS,

the late-stage projects.

evaluation. AbbVie's performance is below aver-onchocerciasis and tuberculosis. AbbVie did not

age in this area.

disclose evidence of access plans for any latestage projects.
PRODUCT DELIVERYRANK 18SCORE 1.98

No public commitment not to enforce patents

via the Pat-INFORMED database. AbbVie dis-research institutions or drug discovery initiatives

in countries in scope. AbbVie does not have acloses patent information such as grant number

established during the current analysis period

public policy that sets out its approach to filingand jurisdiction.

that meet all inclusion criteria for evaluation. The

for or enforcing patents in LMICs.

3

company does have existing agreements of thisPerforms below average in terms of sharing

nature in place that were established before the

Publicly discloses information on patent status.

intellectual property (IP) assets with third-

current period of analysis and meet all inclusion

Like most of its peers, AbbVie publicly discloses

party researchers. AbbVie does not report

criteria for evaluation.

the patent statuses for small molecules in scopeon any new IP-sharing agreements with public*50 diseases and 243 product gaps inscope have been established as a priority
by global health stakeholders. For otherdiseases, the Index used a set of criteria
to determine which projects in the pipeline offer a clear public health benefit topatients in LMICs. Projects in the clinicalphase of development were included forthis analysis.

Access to Medicine Index 2022 ▶ Company report cards

Uses licensing and non-assert declarations toa call-to-action stakeholder’s meeting to ele-ing the access needs of populations at the baseenable generic supply. AbbVie has non-exclusive

vate neonatology to treat neonates at three keyof the income pyramid (including other under-

voluntary licensing agreements in place for two

Ugandan hospitals. Patient reach is not available.

served populations) in LMICs. The Access to Carecompounds. Its licence for glecaprevir/pibren-

Program facilitates the availability of the com-

tasvir (Mavyret®), a treatment for hepatitis C,

Has few access strategies for self-adminis-

pany's HIV medications in LMICs in addition toencompasses 79 countries within the scope oftered products for some countries in scope ofproviding continuing medical education in 15

the Index, including 54 middle income countries.

this analysis. AbbVie has a below average perfor-

African countries to increase treatment capacity,mance in this area. For one of the three products

knowledge and clinical skills.

Filed to register new products in one coun-assessed, evidence of an access strategy in coun-try in scope on average. AbbVie did not disclose

tries of all assessed income levels (UMIC, LMIC,

Shows average performance in terms of ensur-

evidence of filing for registration any of its new

LIC) was found publicly. For example, the non-ex-

ing continuous supply of medicines in LMICs.

products in more than half of the top ten highclusive voluntary license with the Medicines

AbbVie has a system in place to work with rel-burden countries. Among new products, gleca-

Patent Pool (MPP) for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir

evant stakeholders to communicate issues that

previr/pibrentasvir (Mavyret™), for viral hepatitis(Mavyret®) is still active. Patient reach evidence is

may affect the supply chain, manages a bufferC, has been filed in two countries within the

not disclosed.

stock of relevant products, and works with sev-

scope of the Index. Among old products with theeral active pharmaceutical ingredient suppliers.

same indication, its most widely filed is ombitas-

No manufacturing capacity building initiatives

However, there is no evidence that the company

vir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/dasabuvir (Viekira®),included for analysis. There is no evidence — intransfers technology to local manufacturers or is

filed in 13 countries relevant to the Index, includ-

the public domain or disclosed to the Index — of

involved in supply chain capacity building initia-

ing high burden countries such as Republic ofmanufacturing capacity building initiatives active

tives that meet inclusion criteria for evaluation.

Moldova and Ukraine. None of AbbVie's products

during the period of analysis that met inclusionconsidered for analysis are filed for registration

criteria for evaluation. AbbVie's performance is

Has a case-by-case approach for reportingin LICs.

below average in this area.

substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in

Has access strategies for its supranationallyNo supply chain capacity building initiatives

strates evidence of reporting SF medicines toprocured products in scope. AbbVie performs

included for analysis. There is no evidence — inrelevant regulatory authorities and the WHO, on aabove average in securing access for products

the public domain or disclosed to the Index — ofcase-by-case basis. It does not disclose evidence,procured supranationally. For the two prod-

supply chain capacity building initiatives active

publicly or to the Index, that it requires reporting

ucts assessed in this category, lopinavir/ritonavir

during the period of analysis that met inclusion

to occur within the timeframe of ten days looked(Aluvia®/Kaletra) and ritonavir (Norvir®), AbbVie

criteria for evaluation. AbbVie's performance isfor by the Index, nor does it provide evidence ofhas procurement agreements with the Global

below average in this area.

shortened time frames for reporting cases whichcountries in scope of the Index. AbbVie demon-

Fund. The price agreed is disclosed and publicly

only require visual inspection to be confirmed.

available. The company applies pricing strate-

None of the five health systems strengthen-gies that consider relevant payers' ability to pay

ing initiatives included meets all Good Practice

Donates in response to expressed need andin Algeria, a non-eligible Global Fund country, andStandards. AbbVie's performance is below aver-monitors delivery. AbbVie has public policies

it provides evidence of patient reach for both theage in this area. The number of initiatives meetingand supply processes in place to ensure ad hoc

products.

all inclusion criteria is higher than average but

donations are carried out rapidly in response to

fewer initiatives meet all Good Practice Standards

expressed need, and it shows some evidence of

Has access strategies for only one health-(GPS) than what is average for this indicator. In

monitoring the delivery of donations.

care practitioner administered product in

the Partnership with Baylor College of Medicine

scope of this analysis. AbbVie has a below aver-International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI),

Has no long-term donation programmes forage performance in this area. For one of the

AbbVie aims to reduce mortality, increase adher-

neglected tropical diseases or malaria that are

three products assessed, the company pro-ence and decrease rate of patients lost to follow

eligible for analysis. However, AbbVie is engaged

vides evidence of access strategies in UMIC andup among children and families affected by HIV/in other structured donation programmes such

LIC country examples. It makes efforts to reach

AIDS in Romania and Malawi. This initiative meetsas the programme whereby it has been donating

additional patients through donations and has ini-

all GPS.

beractant (Survanta®) for infant respiratory dis-tiatives to strengthen the healthcare systems. For

4

tress syndrome to six countries in scope of theexample, AbbVie applies a cost-plus pricing strat-

Has engaged in scaling up one inclusive busi-

egy for beractant (Survanta®) in Uganda thatness model (IBM) but has not shown evidence

is aligned across sub-Saharan Africa. The com-of its involvement in piloting any new IBMspany provides education through expert trainingthat meet all inclusion criteria. AbbVie performs

and peer-to-peer mentorship, as well as throughaverage in the use of IBMs aimed at meet-

Index since 2015 through Direct Relief.