Abbott’s Humira Backed by FDA Advisory Panel for Colitis

The benefits of using Abbott Laboratories’ rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira for patients with a type of ulcerative colitis outweigh the risks, a U.S. advisory panel said.

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted 15-2 today in support of Humira’s use in those with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis who don’t respond to conventional therapies. They also voted that the Abbott Park, Illinois-based company doesn’t need to conduct more drug studies in advance of approval. The FDA isn’t required to follow the recommendations.