Healthcare Business Review: Abbott’s Humira Use Expanded, Dendreon Gets Aetna Nod

The approved use of Abbott Laboratories’ (NYSE:ABT) Humira has been increased by the FDA to include the treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults, when immunosuppressant medicines have not worked. The medication is currently cleared for use in the reduction of the indications and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Shares of Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ:DNDN) moved up Friday, following word that Aetna (NYSE:AET) said on its website that it would fund the treatment of additional prostate cancer patients with Provenge, as it now considers the Dendreon drug to be medically necessary for treatment.

Vivus (NASDAQ:VVUS) has been cleared of a putative class action accusing it of lying to investors regarding the risks of its recently okayed obesity treatment Qsymia. In California a federal judge ruled that the firm had made adequate disclosures about the medication, and thereby dismissed the suit.

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