FDA approves Upadacitinib for Crohn's disease in adults

• Endoscopic response: In the two induction studies, 34% and 46% of patients treated with RINVOQ 45 mg achieved endoscopic response (defined as a decrease of greater than 50% from the baseline Simplified Endoscopic Score for CD [SES-CD] or for patients with isolated ileal disease and a baseline SES-CD of 4, at least a 2-point reduction from baseline) at week 12, respectively, compared to 3% and 13% of patients receiving placebo.1 In the maintenance study, 28% and 41% of patients treated with RINVOQ 15 mg and 30 mg achieved endoscopic response at week 52, respectively, compared to 7% of patients receiving placebo.
• Clinical remission: In the two induction studies, 36% and 46% of patients treated with RINVOQ 45 mg achieved clinical remission (defined as a Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] of less than 150) at 12 weeks, respectively, compared to 18% and 23% of patients receiving placebo. Additionally, in the maintenance trial, 42% and 55% of patients treated with RINVOQ 15 mg and 30 mg achieved clinical remission at 52 weeks, respectively, compared to 14% of patients receiving placebo.1

"Symptoms of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease can be disruptive and uncomfortable for patients, so relief as early as possible is key. Given the progressive nature of the disease, endoscopic response is just as important," said Edward V. Loftus, Jr., M.D., professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and U-EXCEL study investigator.* "Based on the clinical trial results, treatment with RINVOQ shows both early and long-term symptom relief along with evidence of a visible reduction of damage to the intestinal lining caused by excess inflammation."

"I started feeling better within a couple weeks. My symptoms lessened – less cramping, firmer stools, and the bleeding stopped. When I stopped bleeding, I had more energy," said Danielle, who is living with Crohn's disease and received RINVOQ in an open-label treatment arm in one of the clinical trials.

Rapid Clinical Response and Corticosteroid-free Clinical Remission

• Onset of clinical response based on CDAI was observed as early as two weeks in U-EXCEED and U-EXCEL, with a greater proportion of patients achieving clinical response at week 2 in RINVOQ-treated patients compared with placebo.
• This is the first clinical program of an approved moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease treatment to require steroid taper during the induction period, with a corticosteroid taper regimen initiated at week 4. Corticosteroid-free clinical remission (defined as discontinuation of steroid and achievement of clinical remission per CDAI [CDAI less than 150]) among patients on steroid at baseline was achieved at week 12 by more patients treated with RINVOQ in U-EXCEED and U-EXCEL (30% and 40%, respectively) compared to placebo (11% and 13%, respectively). In U-ENDURE, corticosteroid-free remission (defined as no corticosteroids for 90 days prior to week 52 and achievement of clinical remission) was achieved by more patients treated with RINVOQ 15 mg and 30 mg (42% and 53%, respectively) compared to 14% with placebo.