AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the inclusion of moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis data in the Humira (adalimumab) prescribing information for patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Humira is now the first-and-only biologic treatment with data on fingernail psoriasis in its US prescribing information.
Fingernail psoriasis affects half of all psoriasis patients. It is a form of chronic plaque psoriasis characterized by pitting, deformation, thickening, discoloration, pain and separation of the nail from the nail bed. Nail psoriasis can also contribute to social stigmatization and impact quality of life.
"Fingernail psoriasis is often difficult to treat, and we are pleased the FDA recognized the importance of these data so that more healthcare providers can make informed medical decisions when prescribing treatments for those living with psoriasis," said John Medich, Ph.D., vice president, clinical development, Immunology, AbbVie. "AbbVie's nearly 20 years of research in immunology provides us with in-depth knowledge of challenging diseases and allows us to identify ways to address them - it is our hope that the fingernail psoriasis data will support healthcare providers treating this difficult condition."
The phase 3 study was dedicated to evaluating fingernail psoriasis in patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The study demonstrated nearly half of adult patients treated with Humira achieved an assessment of clear or minimal with at least a two-grade improvement from baseline in signs and symptoms of fingernail psoriasis compared to 6.9 percent of placebo patients (p<0.001). No new safety signals for Humira were observed in the study.
In 2008, Humira was FDA approved to treat adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who are ready for systemic therapy or phototherapy, and are under the care of a doctor who will decide if other systemic therapies are less appropriate. These fingernail psoriasis data are included as a third psoriasis study (Study Ps-III) in the plaque psoriasis clinical studies section (14.8) of the Humira label and can be found here.
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pharmacyclics, AbbVie employs approximately 29,000 people worldwide and markets medicines in more than 170 countries.