Abbott’s Humira approved for axial spondyloarthritis in EU

Abbott's Humira has received European Commission approval for the treatment of adults with severe axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who have no X-ray evidence of structural damage.

The multipurpose drug has been approved in this new indication on the back of positive clinical trial data, making it the first therapy to receive clearance for use among non-radiographic axSpA patients.

A debilitating condition that primarily presents with chronic back pain and stiffness, non-radiographic axSpA is most often seen in younger, active patients and can go undiagnosed for many years.

Dr John Leonard, senior vice-president for pharmaceuticals research and development at Abbott, said: "This approval marks another advancement in Abbott's commitment to the continued innovation of Humira in providing treatment for a broad scope of difficult-to-treat immune-mediated diseases."

This is the eighth approved indication for Humira in the EU since the product's debut in 2003.

Earlier this year, the drug was ratified for the treatment of moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis.