Abbott reports positive data from Humira ulcerative colitis trial

Abbott has published clinical trial data showing the efficacy of Humira as a therapy for ulcerative colitis.

The drug was trialled among 494 adult patients in a phase III study, which was intended to demonstrate its safety and efficacy compared to placebo in subjects who had not responded well to conventional therapy.

Humira was able to meet its primary endpoints of delivering significant improvements in terms of clinical remission rates, while safety results were consistent with the established profile of the drug.

Abbott is seeking approval for Humira in this indication in order to help address the unmet clinical need for new treatment options for ulcerative colitis.

Dr Eugene Sun, vice-president for global pharmaceutical clinical development at Abbott, said: "We are encouraged by these study results with Humira and the potential they may have for patients."

Last month, the company published its financial report for the first quarter of 2011, during which it observed a 17.4 percent year-on-year growth in sales.