Abbott (NYSE: ABT)’s HUMIRA® (adalimumab) has been approved by the USFDA for reducing the signs and symptoms in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
AS is the third of six autoimmune diseases targeted for HUMIRA® therapy that has received USFDA approval. AS is an autoimmune disease affecting the spine and large peripheral joints, causing inflammatory back pain and stiffness and can also be associated with other inflammatory diseases of the skin, eyes and intestines.
The severe form of AS, over time, can result in complete spinal fusion, causing extreme physical limitation and reduction in health- related quality of life.
HUMIRA® has been previously approved by the USFDA for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
The recommended dose of HUMIRA® for AS is 40 mg every other week, by subcutaneous injection (a shot beneath the skin), also the usual dose recommended for HUMIRA in the treatment of moderate to severe RA and PsA.
In the United States, HUMIRA® is available to patients with AS in a pre-filled syringe. Starting this month (August), patients will be able to take advantage of the HUMIRA Pen (a new delivery device for the self-administration of HUMIRA®), USFDA approved on June 23, 2006, offering patients an improved ease of use and a less painful experience compared to the HUMIRA® pre-filled syringe.
Read the full Abbott press release.
Clinical trials are currently on-going, evaluating the potential of HUMIRA® in other autoimmune diseases.
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