Upadacitinib (RINVOQ™) Meets Primary and All Ranked Secondary Endpoints in First Phase 3 Induction Study in Ulcerative Colitis

Rhea-AI Summary

AbbVie announced positive results from the Phase 3 U-ACHIEVE study, demonstrating that upadacitinib (45 mg daily) achieved clinical remission in 26% of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis at week 8, significantly outperforming the 5% in the placebo group (p<0.001). The study also reported enhanced endoscopic and histologic improvement rates of 36% and 30%, respectively, compared to placebo. Upadacitinib's safety profile remained consistent with prior studies, showing a low incidence of serious adverse events. Future results will be presented at medical meetings.

Positive

• 26% of patients on upadacitinib achieved clinical remission at week 8, compared to 5% on placebo (p<0.001).
• 36% of upadacitinib patients showed endoscopic improvement versus 7% on placebo (p<0.001).
• 30% of patients achieved histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement compared to 7% on placebo (p<0.001).
• 73% of upadacitinib-treated patients achieved clinical response, significantly higher than 27% in placebo (p<0.001).
• Safety profile was consistent with previous studies, with low incidence of serious adverse events.

Negative

• Use of upadacitinib in ulcerative colitis is not yet approved by regulatory authorities.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Dec. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced positive results from the Phase 3 induction study, U-ACHIEVE, which showed upadacitinib (45 mg, once daily) met the primary endpoint of clinical remission (per Adapted Mayo Score) at week 8, as well as all ranked secondary endpoints, in adult patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.¹ In the study, 26 percent of patients receiving upadacitinib achieved clinical remission compared to 5 percent of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001).¹ U-ACHIEVE is the first of two Phase 3 induction studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis.¹

"Despite the availability of multiple treatment options with varying mechanisms of action, many patients still do not achieve disease control," said Michael Severino, M.D., vice chairman and president, AbbVie. "We are encouraged by these results showing upadacitinib's potential to improve clinical, endoscopic and histologic outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis."

Significantly more upadacitinib-treated patients achieved endoscopic improvement at week 8 compared to patients receiving placebo (36 percent versus 7 percent; p<0.001).¹ Furthermore, 30 percent of patients treated with upadacitinib achieved histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement at week 8, versus 7 percent of those receiving placebo (p<0.001).¹ A greater proportion of patients treated with upadacitinib achieved clinical response (per Adapted Mayo Score) at week 8 compared to placebo (73 percent versus 27 percent; p<0.001), and 60 percent of upadacitinib-treated patients experienced clinical response (per partial Adapted Mayo Score) at week 2, versus 27 percent on placebo (p<0.001).¹

"Ulcerative colitis is a complex disease to manage, and many patients do not achieve relief from symptoms," said Silvio Danese, M.D., lead study investigator and head of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Centre at Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy. "I am excited about these positive results showing the potential of upadacitinib to alleviate symptoms and control mucosal inflammation in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis."

U-ACHIEVE Efficacy Results at Week 8*,1
	Upadacitinib 45 mg, once daily (n=319)	Placebo (n=154)
Clinical remission (Adapted Mayo Score)a,†	26%	5%
Clinical response (Adapted Mayo Score)b,†	73%	27%
Endoscopic improvementc,†	36%	7%
Histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvementd,†	30%	7%

*Primary endpoint was clinical remission (per Adapted Mayo Score). Clinical response (per Adapted Mayo Score), endoscopic improvement and histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement were ranked secondary endpoints. Not all ranked secondary endpoints are shown. All primary and ranked secondary endpoints achieved p-values of <0.001 versus placebo.

aClinical remission per Adapted Mayo Score is defined as stool frequency subscore (SFS) ≤1 and not greater than baseline, rectal bleeding subscore (RBS) of 0 and endoscopic subscore ≤1.

b Clinical response per Adapted Mayo Score is defined as a decrease from baseline in the Adapted Mayo score ≥2 points and ≥30 percent from baseline, plus a decrease in RBS ≥1 or an absolute RBS ≤1.

cEndoscopic improvement is defined as endoscopic subscore ≤1.

dHistologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement is defined as endoscopic subscore of 0 or 1 and Geboes score ≤3.1.

†Evidence of friability during endoscopy in subjects with otherwise "mild" endoscopy activity will confer an endoscopic subscore of 2.

The safety profile of upadacitinib (45 mg) was consistent with safety findings in previous studies across indications, with no new safety risks observed.^1-5 During the 8-week study period, the most common adverse events (AEs) observed in the upadacitinib group were acne, blood creatine phosphokinase increase and nasopharyngitis.¹ The increases in blood creatine phosphokinase were non-serious and did not lead to study drug discontinuation. ¹ Patients with blood creatine phosphokinase increase were usually asymptomatic and no cases of rhabdomyolysis were reported.¹  Serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in 2.5 percent of patients in the upadacitinib group and 5.8 percent of patients in the placebo group.¹ Serious infections were reported infrequently (1.6 percent in the upadacitinib group and 1.3 percent in the placebo group).¹ No deaths, gastrointestinal perforation, malignancy, major cardiovascular or thromboembolic events were reported.¹  

Full results from the U-ACHIEVE study will be presented at a future medical meeting and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Use of upadacitinib in ulcerative colitis is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.

About Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease caused by inflammation of the large intestine, which triggers abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, severe urgency for a bowel movement, weight loss and fatigue.^15-17 The severity of symptoms and uncertainty surrounding flares cause a substantial burden and often disability among those living with the disease.¹⁸

About the U-ACHIEVE Study^1,8

U-ACHIEVE is an ongoing, seamless Phase 2b/3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib for induction and maintenance therapy in subjects with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Results from the Phase 2b part of the study were announced in October 2018. The objective of this first of two Phase 3 induction studies is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadacitinib 45 mg once daily compared to placebo.

The primary endpoint is achievement of clinical remission (per Adapted Mayo Score) at week 8. Ranked secondary endpoints included clinical response (decrease from baseline in the Adapted Mayo score ≥2 points and ≥30 percent from baseline, plus a decrease in RBS ≥1 or an absolute RBS ≤1), endoscopic improvement (endoscopic subscore ≤1) and histologic-endoscopic mucosal improvement (endoscopic subscore of 0 or 1 and Geboes score ≤3.1) at week 8. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02819635).

About the Upadacitinib Phase 3 Ulcerative Colitis Program^8,19,20

The global upadacitinib Phase 3 ulcerative colitis program evaluates more than 1,300 patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis across three pivotal studies. These studies include assessments of efficacy, safety and tolerability of upadacitinib. Key measures of efficacy include clinical remission per Adapted Mayo Score, clinical response per Adapted Mayo Score, endoscopic improvement and endoscopic response. More information on these trials can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02819635, NCT03653026, NCT03006068).

About Upadacitinib (RINVOQ)

Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is an oral, once daily, selective and reversible JAK inhibitor studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.^1,6-14 It was engineered to have greater inhibitory potency for JAK1 versus JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2.² In August 2019, RINVOQ received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. In December 2019, RINVOQ also received approval by the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The approved dose for RINVOQ in rheumatoid arthritis is 15 mg. Phase 3 trials of RINVOQ in atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are ongoing.^7-14 Use of RINVOQ in ulcerative colitis is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.

Important Safety Information about RINVOQ™ (upadacitinib)²¹

RINVOQ U.S. Use and Important Safety Information
RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in whom methotrexate did not work well or could not be tolerated. It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

What is the most important information I should know about RINVOQ?
RINVOQ is a medicine that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider (HCP) tells you it is okay.

• Serious infections have happened in some people taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your HCP should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster).
• Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen in people taking RINVOQ.
• Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries are possible in some people taking RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death.
• Tears in the stomach or intestines and changes in certain laboratory tests can happen. Your HCP should do blood tests before you start taking RINVOQ and while you take it. Your HCP may stop your RINVOQ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.

What should I tell my HCP BEFORE starting RINVOQ?
Tell your HCP if you:

• Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or have symptoms of an infection such as:
• Fever, sweating, or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
• Muscle aches
• Feeling tired
• Blood in phlegm
• Diarrhea or stomach pain
• Cough
• Weight loss
• Burning when urinating or urinating more often than normal
• Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
• Have had any type of cancer, hepatitis B or C, shingles (herpes zoster), or blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.
• Have other medical conditions including liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.
• Live, have lived, or have traveled to parts of the country that increase your risk of getting certain kinds of fungal infections, such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest. If you are unsure if you've been to these areas, ask your HCP.
• Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take RINVOQ should not receive live vaccines.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on animal studies, RINVOQ may harm your unborn baby. Your HCP will check whether or not you are pregnant before you start RINVOQ. You should use effective birth control (contraception) to avoid becoming pregnant while taking RINVOQ and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose.
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. RINVOQ may pass into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking RINVOQ and for at least 6 days after your last dose.

Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.

Especially tell your HCP if you take:

• Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections
• Rifampicin or phenytoin
• Medicines that affect your immune system

Ask your HCP or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines.

What should I tell my HCP AFTER starting RINVOQ?
Tell your HCP right away if you:

• Have any symptoms of an infection. RINVOQ can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections you have worse.
• Have any signs or symptoms of blood clots during treatment with RINVOQ, including:
• Swelling
• Sudden unexplained chest pain
• Pain or tenderness in the leg
• Shortness of breath
• Have a fever or stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.

What are the common side effects of RINVOQ?
These include: upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nausea, cough, and fever. These are not all the possible side effects of RINVOQ.

RINVOQ is taken once a day with or without food. Do not split, break, crush, or chew the tablet. Take RINVOQ exactly as your HCP tells you to use it.

This is the most important information to know about RINVOQ. For more information, talk to your HCP. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie in Gastroenterology

With a robust clinical trial program, AbbVie is committed to cutting-edge research to drive exciting developments in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. By innovating, learning, and adapting, AbbVie aspires to eliminate the burden of IBD and make a positive long-term impact on the lives of people with the IBD. For more information on AbbVie in gastroenterology, visit https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/immunology/immunology-focus-areas/gastroenterology.html.

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. 

References:

1. AbbVie. Data on File: ABVRRTI71469.
2. Cohen S., et al. Safety profile of upadacitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Integrated analysis from the SELECT Phase 3 Clinical Program. EULAR 2019; THU0167.
3. Genovese, M.C., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Patients With Active Psoriatic Arthritis and Inadequate Response to Biologic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (SELECT-PsA-2): a Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Phase 3 Trial. 2020 EULAR E-Congress; OP0223.
4. Van der Heijde D., et al. Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Phase 2/3 Clinical Study of Patients With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis. 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting; 2728.
5. Guttman-Yassky, E., et al. Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib Monotherapy in Adolescents and Adults with Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis: Results From 2 Pivotal, Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blinded, Monotherapy, Placebo-controlled Studies (Measure Up 1 and Measure Up 2). European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology Congress. 2020. D3T03.4B.
6. Pipeline – Our Science | AbbVie. AbbVie. 2019. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed on December 3, 2020.
7. Burmester G.R., et al. Safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (SELECT-NEXT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2018 Jun 23;391(10139):2503-2512.
8. A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ABT-494 for Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02819635. Accessed on Accessed on December 3, 2020.
9. A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of ABT-494 for the Induction of Symptomatic and Endoscopic Remission in Subjects With Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease Who Have Inadequately Responded to or Are Intolerant to Immunomodulators or Anti-TNF Therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02365649. Accessed on Accessed on December 3, 2020.
10. A Study Comparing Upadacitinib (ABT-494) to Placebo and to Adalimumab in Participants With Psoriatic Arthritis Who Have an Inadequate Response to at Least One Non-Biologic Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (SELECT - PsA 1). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03104400. Accessed on December 3, 2020.
11. A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Axial Spondyloarthritis (SELECT AXIS 2). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169373. Accessed on December 3, 2020.
12. A Study to Compare Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib to Dupilumab in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (Heads Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03738397. Accessed on December 3, 2020.
13. A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants With Giant Cell Arteritis (SELECT-GCA). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725202. Accessed on December 3, 2020.
14. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Subjects With Takayasu Arteritis (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. 2020. Available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04161898. Accessed on Accessed on December 3, 2020.
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SOURCE AbbVie

FAQ

What were the primary results of AbbVie's U-ACHIEVE study for upadacitinib on Dec. 9, 2020?

The U-ACHIEVE study showed that 26% of patients treated with upadacitinib achieved clinical remission at week 8, compared to only 5% on placebo.

What is the significance of the U-ACHIEVE study results for upadacitinib (ABBV)?

The results indicate upadacitinib's potential effectiveness in treating moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, meeting all primary and ranked secondary endpoints.

What safety findings were reported in the U-ACHIEVE study for upadacitinib?

The safety profile of upadacitinib was consistent with prior studies, with common adverse events including acne and nasopharyngitis, and no new safety risks identified.

When will full results of the U-ACHIEVE study be available?

Full results will be presented at a future medical meeting and submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Is upadacitinib approved for ulcerative colitis treatment?

As of now, upadacitinib's use in ulcerative colitis is not approved and has not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.