AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that Humira (adalimumab) is approved for the treatment of active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) in adults with an inadequate response to conventional systemic HS treatment. Humira is now the first and only medication approved for HS in the European Union. 

HS, sometimes referred to as "acne inversa" by dermatologists, is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is estimated to impact 1 percent of the adult population worldwide, but prevalence numbers vary across countries.1-3 It is characterized by recurrent, painful abscesses and nodules on the skin - typically around the armpits and groin, on the buttocks and under the breasts.1-2 HS can have considerable impact on patients' daily lives, their work ability, physical activities and emotional state.

"HS patients often experience painful and embarrassing symptoms that can have a detrimental impact on their lives," said Errol Prens, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Erasmus Medical Center. "Humira is the first approved, well-documented treatment shown to reduce HS symptoms including pain, marking an important advancement in the management of HS."

For more details, go to: http://abbvie.mediaroom.com/2015-07-30-HUMIRA-Adalimumab-Approved-by-European-Commission-for-Moderate-to-Severe-Hidradenitis-Suppurativa-HS