- In real-world clinical practice in China, upadacitinib demonstrates high response rates in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis—achieving minimal disease activity and higher clinical and patient treatment goals, with the majority of patients continuing treatment for 6 months¹.
- Safety profile: The safety profile of upadacitinib is consistent with previous studies, with no new safety signals identified.
ShanghaiApril 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AbbVie announced the interim results of the REACH-AD study (P24-965) at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting¹. This study is the largest multicenter real-world cohort study of upadacitinib extended-release tablets (Rinvoq®) in Chinese patients with atopic dermatitis.
The REACH-AD study, conducted at 40 centers across China, aims to evaluate the treatment patterns of upadacitinib in adolescent and adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and to assess efficacy through the achievement of minimal disease activity. This ongoing prospective observational study plans to enroll 1,000 patients with a one-year follow-up; this 6-month interim analysis includes data from 504 patients (including 89 adolescents)¹.
Minimal disease activity (MDA) refers to achieving one or more higher treatment goals reported by both patients and clinicians, such as no or almost no itch (PP-NRS 0/1, Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale score of 0/1) and clear or almost clear skin (EASI 90, Eczema Area and Severity Index improvement ≥90%). The higher goals of atopic dermatitis treatment should be improved patient treatment satisfaction and quality of life.
Interim analysis results of the REACH-AD study show:
- Usage Patterns: 80.3% of patients initiated upadacitinib due to poor response to prior therapies. At 6 months of treatment, 89.5% of patients were still receiving upadacitinib. 98% of patients started at a dose of 15 mg, and 2.2% of patients had their dose increased. The majority (93.8%) of patients had national medical insurance, and 9.1% had commercial insurance¹.
- Efficacy: The primary efficacy outcomes for upadacitinib at 6 months were: 90.7% of patients achieved EASI 75 (Eczema Area and Severity Index improvement ≥75%) or a score ≤7; 71.7% achieved EASI 90 or a score ≤3; 73.9% achieved PP-NRS (Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale) improvement ≥4; 51.1% achieved a PP-NRS score of 0/1; 39.4% achieved MDA (Minimal Disease Activity, composite of EASI 90 or ≤3 + PP-NRS 0/1). Compared with patients achieving EASI 75, those achieving the optimal target of EASI 90 experienced significantly greater improvements in health-related quality of life¹.
The international AHEAD consensus recommends MDA (Minimal Disease Activity)—defined as simultaneously achieving higher indicators from patient-reported outcomes and clinician assessments, such as EASI 90 and PP-NRS 0/1—as the ideal goal for atopic dermatitis management². REACH-AD is the first large-scale multicenter cohort study in China to evaluate upadacitinib in helping patients achieve minimal disease activity in real-world clinical practice.
Detailed study results were presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.
The safety profile of upadacitinib observed in the REACH-AD study is consistent with known data, with no new safety signals identified. The incidence of drug-related adverse events (18.92 E/100PY), adverse events leading to discontinuation (12.48 E/100PY), and serious adverse events (1.61 E/100PY) were all low; no deaths occurred¹.
About Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease characterized by a cycle of intense itching and scratching, leading to skin cracking, scaling, and oozing³⁻⁴. It is estimated to affect up to 10% of adults and 24.6% of adolescents⁴⁻⁶. Among adult patients with atopic dermatitis, 20% to 46% have moderate-to-severe disease⁷. The range of symptoms caused by the disease imposes a significant physical, psychological, and economic burden on patients⁴⁻⁸.
About the REACH-AD Study
REACH-AD (P24-965) is a prospective, multicenter observational study planned to enroll 1,000 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis across 40 research centers in China, evaluating upadacitinib in adults and adolescents (≥12 years) who have had an inadequate response or are intolerant to conventional systemic therapy. This interim analysis reports data from 504 patients followed for 6 months.
About Upadacitinib Extended-Release Tablets (Rinvoq®)
Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib extended-release tablets (Rinvoq®) are being studied in a variety of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Based on enzymatic and cellular assays, upadacitinib demonstrates greater inhibitory potency for JAK-1 compared to JAK-2, JAK-3, and TYK-2. The correlation between specific JAK enzyme inhibition and therapeutic effects and safety is currently unknown.
Upadacitinib extended-release tablets (Rinvoq®) are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, Takayasu arteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vitiligo. Upadacitinib has not been approved by the U.S. FDA for these indications, and its safety and efficacy in these diseases have not been established.
About AbbVie
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve complex and challenging health issues and address future medical challenges. We strive to have a profound impact on people’s lives through scientific innovation in several key therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and products and services within the Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit www.abbvie.com.
AbbVie’s headquarters in China is located in Shanghai, focusing on developing and delivering innovative medical solutions in areas such as immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, anesthesiology, neuroscience, and aesthetics.
For more information about AbbVie in China, please visit AbbVie’s Chinese official website www.abbvie.com.cn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this press release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions, as well as the use of future or conditional verbs, are indicative of forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, inherent difficulties in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government actions, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry.
For additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological, and other factors that may affect AbbVie, please refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in AbbVie’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other documents that update, supplement, or supersede such information. Except as required by law, AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to publicly release any updates to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments.
References:
- Liuqing C, Yanna S, Lixia Z, et al. Real-World Utilization of Upadacitinib in Atopic Dermatitis and Achievement of Minimal Disease Activity: 6-Month Interim Analysis of the Multicenter Large Cohort Study P24-965 in China. Presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, March 27-31, 2026, Denver, Colorado, US
- Silverberg JI, et al. Combining treat-to-target principles and shared decision-making: International expert consensus-based recommendations with a novel concept for minimal disease activity criteria in atopic dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2024;38(11):2139–48.
- Blauvelt A, Guttman-Yassky E, Paller AS, et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of dupilumab in adolescents with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: results through week 52 from a phase III open-label extension trial (LIBERTY AD PED-OLE). Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(3):365-383. doi:10.1007/s40257-022-00683-2
- European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations. Atopic eczema: itching for life report—quality of life and costs for people with severe atopic eczema in Europe. Published July 2018. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.efanet.org/images/2018/EN_- _Itching_for_life_Quality_of_Life_and_costs_for_people_with_severe_atopic_eczema_in_Europe_.pdf