AbbVie GK, Eisai Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary EA Pharma Co., Ltd. announced that EA Pharma and AbbVie will commence the co-promotion of fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody Humira for indications in the field of gastrointestinal disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, intestinal Behcet's disease) as of today.

Established in April 2016 through the integration of Eisai's gastrointestinal disease business and Ajinomoto Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., EA Pharma is a gastrointestinal specialty pharma with a full value chain including research and development, production and logistics, sales and marketing. EA Pharma has been delegated by Eisai to undertake co-promotion on gastrointestinal disease indications for Humira with Abbvie.

Furthermore, there will be no change to the distribution and sales framework for Humira (AbbVie is the marketing and manufacturing authorization holder for Humira, while Eisai is responsible for distribution).

In addition, AbbVie and Eisai will continue co-promotion for Humira of indications outside of the gastrointestinal disease field (treatment of rheumatoid arthritis [including prevention of structural joint damage] and the following diseases that do not sufficiently respond to existing treatments: psoriasis vulgaris, arthropathic psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis).

AbbVie, Eisai and EA Pharma will continue to promote and provide information on the proper use of Humira while making further contributions to improve the quality of life of patients.

Humira is a fully human anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody which is approved for the following indications in Japan: "treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (including prevention of structural joint damage) and the following diseases that do not sufficiently respond to existing treatments: psoriasis vulgaris; arthropathic psoriasis; ankylosing spondylitis; polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis; intestinal Behcet's disease; moderate to severe active Crohn's disease as remission induction and maintenance therapy; and moderate to severe ulcerative colitis."