AbbVie’s XEN45 Glaucoma Study Signals New Angle in Eye Care Strategy

Abbvie (ABBV) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study.

AbbVie Glaucoma Study Tests New Approach to XEN45 Gel Stent.

The study, officially titled “A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Ab Externo Implantation of Glaucoma Gel Stent,” tracks how a different surgical approach affects disease control and side effects in open angle glaucoma. It matters because glaucoma is a major cause of blindness and any safer, easier procedure can shift treatment trends.

The intervention is the XEN45 glaucoma gel stent, a small tube designed to lower eye pressure by improving fluid outflow. It is an approved device, but this study focuses on placing it from outside the eye, called an ab externo approach, instead of the usual internal route.

The trial uses a simple, single arm design where all patients receive the same device and procedure, so there is no random assignment to different treatments. There is also no masking, meaning doctors and patients know what is being done, and the main goal is to see how well this surgical option treats glaucoma in regular practice.

The study began after first submission on 06 June 2022 and followed patients for 12 months after implantation. The study is now listed as completed, and the record was last updated on 26 February 2026, signaling that AbbVie has locked in key data and is refining final analyses or post study plans.

For investors, this update supports AbbVie’s device portfolio alongside its drug franchise and could modestly strengthen its position in eye care revenue over time. Positive safety and effectiveness data could drive wider XEN45 use versus older glaucoma surgeries and pressure rivals in the growing minimally invasive glaucoma surgery segment.

This clinical study has been completed and recently updated, with full details available on the ClinicalTrials.gov portal.

To learn more about ABBV’s potential, visit the Abbvie drug pipeline page.