AbbVie’s Korean subsidiary has highlighted the effectiveness of its atopic dermatitis treatment, Rinvoq (upadacitinib), in improving symptoms for patients with lesions on exposed areas like the face and neck.

A post-hoc analysis of the Measure Up study revealed that Rinvoq significantly enhanced skin condition and reduced itching in patients with head and neck lesions compared to the placebo group. Rinvoq, a JAK inhibitor, is approved for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and atopic dermatitis. AbbVie continues to strengthen its position in the atopic dermatitis market.

The Measure Up analysis indicated that patients treated with Rinvoq achieved nearly clear skin on the head and neck, broader skin clearance, and minimal or no itching by week 16. Furthermore, 80% of patients saw improvements in genital area lesions.

In the Level Up study, Rinvoq showed superior results compared to dupilumab. Nearly 20% of Rinvoq patients achieved both skin clearance and minimal itching, compared to just under 9% in the dupilumab group. Rinvoq also outperformed dupilumab in skin clearance rates and reduction of itching severity.

Real-world evidence from Italy further supported Rinvoq’s effectiveness, showing that most patients achieved significant skin clearance with sustained reductions in itching. These findings align with evolving treatment goals for severe atopic dermatitis, where achieving near-complete skin clearance and eliminating itching are now prioritized over earlier benchmarks.

In July, AbbVie expanded Rinvoq’s scope by gaining approval for a clinical trial application to compare its efficacy and safety against dupilumab in treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 to under 12 years.

Meanwhile, the Korean government is reviewing the financial impact of expanding reimbursement for JAK inhibitors in severe atopic dermatitis cases. Although the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has completed its evaluation, delays in analysis suggest that expanded reimbursement may not be implemented until 2025.