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Submission supported by data from Phase 3 pivotal AFFIRM study
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If approved, adult Crohn's disease patients will have an additional option for induction of risankizumab-rzaa which is already approved for intravenous (IV) induction
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa) for subcutaneous (SC) induction for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD).
"Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects an estimated 1 million Americans, and its impact often reaches beyond the gut as its unpredictability can impact daily life and emotional health for patients," said Kori Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical development, AbbVie. "AbbVie continues to invest in research and innovative solutions to help elevate the standard of care for patients so that they may live a life unburdened by their Crohn's disease."
The application to the FDA is supported by the recently shared positive data from the Phase 3 AFFIRM study1 (NCT06063967), which evaluated the efficacy and safety of risankizumab SC as an induction treatment in adult patients with moderately to severely active CD, including both those with and without prior advanced therapy failure.
In 2022, SKYRIZI became the first interleukin-23 (IL-23) specific inhibitor approved by the FDA to treat adults with moderately to severely active CD. AbbVie anticipates FDA approval for this new dosing regimen for SKYRIZI later this year. If approved, patients with moderately to severely active CD would have a choice to receive their SKYRIZI induction via SC injection or through IV infusion and then continue subcutaneous maintenance dosing every eight weeks.
About Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic disease that manifests as inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract, most commonly in the area between the small intestine (ileum) and the colon, causing persistent diarrhea and abdominal pain.2,3 It is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time and may lead to life-threatening complications or surgery.4,5 Because the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease are unpredictable, it causes a significant burden on people living with the disease—not only physically but also emotionally and economically.6
About the AFFIRM Study1
AFFIRM is a global, Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of risankizumab subcutaneous (SC) as an induction treatment in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. Co-primary endpoints were achievement of CDAI Clinical Remission (CDAI < 150) and achievement of endoscopic response at week 12. A total of 289 patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to risankizumab SC or placebo. Key demographics and baseline characteristics were generally balanced between the risankizumab SC and placebo groups; 65% had previously failed advanced therapies for the treatment of CD. The study consists of three treatment periods: a placebo-controlled Period A (baseline to week 12) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of risankizumab SC induction treatment, an extended Period B (week 12 to 24) where patients receive blinded or open-label treatments based on their clinical response at week 12, and a 52-week open-label extension Period C where all patients receive the approved risankizumab maintenance treatment.1 More information on this trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06063967).7
About SKYRIZI® (risankizumab-rzaa)
SKYRIZI is an interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-23 by binding to its p19 subunit. IL-23, a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes, is thought to be linked to a number of chronic immune-mediated diseases.8 SKYRIZI is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.8,9
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions 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 including immunology, neuroscience and oncology – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
References
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AbbVie. Data on file ABVRRTI82775
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Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. The facts about inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. Published November 2014. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Updated%20IBD%20Factbook.pdf
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Mayo Clinic. Crohn's disease - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353304
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Mehta F. Report: economic implications of inflammatory bowel disease and its management. Am J Manag Care. 2016 Mar;22(3 Suppl):s51-60.
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Kaplan G. The global burden of IBD: from 2015 to 2025. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Dec;12(12):720-7. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2015.150.
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Gajendran M, et al. A comprehensive review and update on Crohn's disease. Dis Mon. 2018 Feb;64(2):20-57. doi: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2017.07.001.
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A Study to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Risankizumab Subcutaneous Induction Treatment for Moderately to Severely Active Crohn's Disease. (AFFIRM). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06063967. Accessed February 23, 2026.
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SKYRIZI [Package Insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; 2025.
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SKYRIZI. Summary of Product Characteristics. AbbVie. Accessed February 23, 2026.