UK – AbbVie’s Rinvoq recommended by NICE for Crohn’s disease

AbbVie’s Rinvoq (upadacitinib) has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a treatment option for adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease, the company announced.

The authorisation, which makes Rinvoq the first oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor available for this indication in England and Wales, specifically applies to patients who have had an inadequate response, lost response or were intolerant to conventional therapy or a biological agent.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, progressive condition of the digestive system, causing symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea and abdominal pain. It is estimated that over 155,000 adults are living with Crohn’s disease in the UK, almost half of which have moderate or severe cases.

Despite the availability of a range of treatments, not every patient achieves long-lasting remission, and the progressive damage from disease flare-ups can result in some patients requiring surgery…