- SKYRIZI is the first IL-23 specific inhibitor approved for
both moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and moderate to severe
Crohn's disease.1
MONTREAL, March 4,
2025 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced
today that SKYRIZI® (risankizumab) is now available in Canada for the treatment of adults with
moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had
an inadequate response, loss of response, or were intolerant to
conventional therapy, a biologic treatment, or a Janus kinase (JAK)
inhibitor1, following Health Canada approval of this
indication in October 2024. SKYRIZI
is now approved for four indications across immune-mediated
inflammatory diseases.
"We are so grateful for the approval of SKYRIZI for ulcerative
colitis and hopeful it will have a positive effect on patient
healing," said Gail Attara, CEO and
co-founder of the Gastrointestinal Society. "Ulcerative colitis is
a debilitating inflammatory bowel disease. Given the uniqueness of
each individual, it's essential to bring new treatment options for
ulcerative colitis, even though other products exist. This ensures
that each person can receive the most suitable medication to
effectively manage this incurable disease."
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) of the large intestine that can lead to
substantial burden and often disability among
patients.2,3 Canada has
one of the highest rates of inflammatory bowel disease in the
world, the two main forms of which are Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis.4 More than 300,000 Canadians are
living with IBD, and the rate of diagnosis is increasing amongst
certain demographics including seniors.4
"There remains a significant unmet need in treating patients
with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Risankizumab is gaining
recognition as an effective treatment for UC, providing patients
with a combination of efficacy, safety, and convenience," says Dr.
Remo Panaccione, MD, Professor of
Medicine and Director of the IBD unit, University of Calgary. "Clinical trials demonstrate
many patients achieve long-term remission and endoscopic healing, a
key indicator of sustained disease control. This is complemented by
a consistent safety profile and dosing every 8 weeks (following 3
intravenous infusions at weeks 0, 4 and 8). When taken together
this represents a significant advancement for patients living with
ulcerative colitis."
"Living with ulcerative colitis meant pre-planning outings,
locating washrooms, and carrying extra clothes in case of
accidents. My world got smaller, choosing to stay at home rather
than risk embarrassment in public," shared Melanie D., from
Edmonton, Alberta. "With SKYRIZI,
I feel so much better, both physically and mentally, alleviating my
worries about washroom access and allowing me to travel with
confidence, feeling healthy and assured in public."
"With the high prevalence of IBD in Canada, AbbVie recognizes the need for more
treatment options for people living with this debilitating
disease," stated Rami Fayed, Vice President and General Manager of
AbbVie Canada. "The SKYRIZI indication for ulcerative colitis
demonstrates our ongoing commitment to patients across Canada."
About SKYRIZI®
(risankizumab)1
SKYRIZI is an interleukin-23
(IL-23) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its
p19 subunit. IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes,
is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated
diseases, including ulcerative colitis. SKYRIZI is also approved in
Canada for the treatment of adults
with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have had an
inadequate response, intolerance, or demonstrated dependence to
corticosteroids; or an inadequate response, intolerance, or loss of
response to immunomodulators or biologic therapies.
For important safety information, please consult the SKYRIZI
Product Monograph at www.abbvie.ca.
About AbbVie in Gastroenterology
AbbVie has focused on
improving care in gastroenterology for more than 10 years. With a
robust clinical trial program in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
we are committed to cutting-edge research to drive new discoveries
and developments in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. By
innovating, learning and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the
burden of IBD and make a positive long-term impact in the lives of
people with IBD.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and
deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious
health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow.
We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across
several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience,
and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics
portfolio.
For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at
www.abbvie.ca. Follow AbbVie Canada on X, on Instagram or find us
on LinkedIn.
References
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1
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SKYRIZI (risankizumab)
product monograph. AbbVie Corporation. Available at:
https://www.abbvie.ca/content/dam/abbvie-dotcom/ca/en/documents/products/SKYRIZI_PM_EN.pdf
Accessed March 2025.
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2
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Gajendran M., et al. A
comprehensive review and update on ulcerative colitis. Dis Mon.
2019 Dec;65(12):100851. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2019.02.004. Epub
2019 Mar 2.
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3
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Mehta F. Report:
economic implications of inflammatory bowel disease and its
management. Am J Manag Care. 2016 Mar;22(3
Suppl):s51-60.
|
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4
|
Crohn's and Colitis
Canada 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada.
Available at:
https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/Crohns_and_Colitis/documents/reports/2023-IBD-Report-English-LR.pdf?ext=.pdf.
Accessed March 2025.
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SOURCE AbbVie Canada
