AbbVie receives EU approval for paediatric psoriasis indication for Humira

AbbVie has announced that its drug Humira has been approved by the Europan Commission for use in the treatment of young people with psoriasis.

The therapy has been ratified for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis in children and adolescents from four years of age who have had an inadequate response to or are inappropriate candidates for topical therapy and phototherapies.

This approval was based on the positive results of a phase III study, which are to be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

Dr Michael Severino, executive vice-president for research and development and chief scientific officer at AbbVie, said: "This new indication contributes to the increasingly broad spectrum of indications for Humira, and supports its strong record of efficacy and safety in treating paediatric populations who are managing challenging chronic diseases."

Since its original approval 12 years ago, Humira has been approved in more than 87 countries. It is currently being used to treat more than 851,083 patients worldwide.

It was recommended by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a treatment for adult patients with moderate to severely active ulcerative colitis at the end of last year.