AbbVie's Immunology Portfolio Drives Strong Q3 Performance, Surpassing Humira's Peak Sales

AbbVie reported robust third-quarter earnings, with its immunology portfolio spearheading growth and positioning the company for continued success. The pharmaceutical giant's two key drugs, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, have emerged as powerful successors to Humira, driving significant revenue and expanding their reach across multiple indications.

Skyrizi and Rinvoq: A Formidable Duo

Skyrizi and Rinvoq, AbbVie's immunology dyad, demonstrated impressive year-over-year growth in Q3. Skyrizi sales surged by 46% to $4.7 billion, while Rinvoq experienced a 34% increase, reaching $2.2 billion. Together, these two drugs generated nearly $7 billion in revenue, accounting for almost half of AbbVie's quarterly income.

The success of Skyrizi and Rinvoq is particularly noteworthy as they are on track to surpass the peak sales of AbbVie's former blockbuster, Humira. In 2022, Humira reached its zenith with $21 billion in total sales. However, following the loss of patent protection, Humira sales plummeted by 55% to $993 million in the third quarter of 2025.

Expanding Indications and Clinical Success

AbbVie's strategy of developing these drugs as "pipelines-in-a-product" continues to yield results. Skyrizi is now approved for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. Rinvoq's indications include rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Recently, the FDA expanded Rinvoq's label for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, allowing its use in patients ineligible for TNF-blockers like Skyrizi. This strategic move enables AbbVie to offer alternative treatments within its own portfolio.

Rinvoq is also showing promise in new indications. Phase III trial data from July revealed that 40% of patients with alopecia areata achieved 80% scalp coverage when treated with Rinvoq. Additionally, two Phase III trials for vitiligo treatment with Rinvoq met their primary endpoints, demonstrating significant reduction in vitiligo coverage on patients' bodies and faces.

Financial Performance and Future Outlook

AbbVie's overall financial performance in Q3 was strong, with net revenues reaching $15.8 billion, a 9.1% increase year-over-year. The immunology portfolio contributed $7.9 billion to this total, representing an 11.2% quarterly increase.

CEO Robert Michael expressed confidence in the company's current portfolio, stating it provides "a clear line of sight to growth into the next decade." This optimism is reflected in the company's stance on future acquisitions, with a focus on early-stage opportunities rather than late-stage assets.

AbbVie's recent M&A activities include the $2.1 billion acquisition of Capstan and its CAR T business, a $2 billion deal for Ichnos Glenmark's anti-myeloma antibody, and the $1.2 billion purchase of Gilgamesh's lead psychedelic drug. These strategic moves demonstrate AbbVie's commitment to diversifying its pipeline across immunology, oncology, and neuroscience.