European Commission approves Humira(Abbott Labs) for Ulcerative Colitis

The European Commission has approved Humira (adalimumab)from Abbott Labs, for the treatment of moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy. With this approval, Humira becomes the first and only self-injectable biologic therapy for the treatment of moderately to severely active Ulcerative Colitis in adults. The approval also marks the seventh indication for Humira in the European Union since the product's first approval in 2003.UC is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers in the colon and may lead to life-threatening complications. It is estimated that UC affects up to 1.2 million people in the European Union. It is also estimated that up to one third will undergo surgical removal of the colon during their lifetimes - leaving patients with a permanent colostomy or ileal pouch.