BRIEF — Xeljanz approved in third indication in EU

The European Commission (EC) has approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) who have had an inadequate response, lost response, or were intolerant to either conventional therapy or a biologic agent.

This makes the Pfizer the first and only oral therapy and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor to be approved for this patient population.

Angela Lukin, regional president, inflammation and immunology, Pfizer, said: “UC is a chronic disease that can develop at any age, be difficult to manage and affect multiple aspects of daily life.

“The EC approval of Xeljanz provides an additional treatment option that can help improve the care of adults in Europe living with this debilitating inflammatory bowel disease.”

Xeljanz has already been approved in the European Union for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis indications, both in combination with methotrexate.