Abbott files for approval of Humira for psoriasis

BOSTON, April 2 (Reuters) - Abbott Laboratories Inc. (ABT.N) said on Monday it has filed an application with U.S. and European regulators to market its rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira as a treatment for the skin disorder psoriasis.

Abbott said its applications are based on the results of two clinical trials that showed a significant reduction in the signs of the disorder, which is characterized by inflamed, scaly skin lesions.

Humira is a fully human monoclonal antibody that works by blocking a protein known as tumor necrosis factor alpha, which plays a central role in the body's inflammatory response.

((Reporting by Toni Clarke, editing by John Wallace; Reuters Messaging, toni.clarke.reuters.com@reuters.net, 617-367-4165)) Keywords: ABBOTT HUMIRA/

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