AbbVie Maintains Xeljanz Safety Concerns Don’t Spill Over To Rinvoq

Responding to Pfizer post-marketing data indicating risk for CV events or cancer in patients taking Xeljanz, AbbVie tells Q4 earnings call that a more selective JAK inhibitor like Rinvoq will offer better safety.

4th quarter computer key on key board
AbbVie's Q4 revenues came in strong despite some pandemic impact on the cancer franchise

While reporting strong fourth quarter 2020 financials, AbbVie Inc. stressed during its 3 February earnings call that its JAK1 inhibitor Rinvoq likely will not present the same safety issues that a post-approval study showed for Pfizer Inc.’s JAK inhibitor Xeljanz. Company president Michael Severino said safety data compiled from Rinvoq’s use in rheumatoid arthritis to date shows no more than the expected level of major adverse cardiovascular events or malignancies.

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