AbbVie announced that Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA‑AMC) has recommended public drug plans reimburse SKYRIZI (risankizumab) for adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who have had an inadequate response, loss of response, or intolerance to conventional therapy, a biologic, or a Janus kinase inhibitor. The recommendation, issued on November 28 2025, follows a formal review that incorporated feedback from 25 Canadian clinicians and two patient organizations, including the GI Society and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, and is subject to specified conditions that will be detailed in the final public formulary decision.
The recommendation expands SKYRIZI’s therapeutic indications in Canada, adding ulcerative colitis to the drug’s existing coverage for Crohn’s disease. By extending reimbursement to a new patient population—estimated at 120,000 Canadians with ulcerative colitis—AbbVie gains a broader market footprint. The decision is expected to increase the drug’s market share in the ulcerative colitis segment, a key growth area for AbbVie’s ex‑Humira portfolio, and to enhance revenue prospects in the Canadian immunology market.
Patient advocates welcomed the decision. Dr. Christopher Ma, MD, MPH, FRCPC, of the Cumming School of Medicine, said the recommendation “provides Canadians living with UC an additional therapeutic option that can help them achieve remission and improve long‑term outcomes.” Rami Fayed, Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Canada, noted that the company is “encouraged by the opportunity to work with the CDA‑AMC and the pCPA to provide access to innovative solutions that can impact eligible patients’ lives.”
The recommendation follows a successful prior reimbursement for SKYRIZI in Crohn’s disease and a letter of intent with the Pan‑Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, underscoring AbbVie’s growing traction in Canada’s reimbursement landscape. The decision is conditional, reflecting typical CDA‑AMC practice of tying coverage to patient eligibility criteria and cost‑control measures, but it signals strong confidence in the drug’s clinical value and pricing strategy. The move aligns with AbbVie’s broader strategy to accelerate growth in its immunology platform as Humira sales decline due to biosimilar competition.
In summary, the Canadian reimbursement recommendation for SKYRIZI in ulcerative colitis represents a material regulatory win for AbbVie, expanding its therapeutic reach, strengthening its competitive position in the IBD market, and opening a new revenue stream in a sizable patient population. The decision is a positive development for patients, clinicians, and AbbVie’s long‑term growth prospects in Canada.
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