Category: 3. Business

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) places the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the centre of its regional integration and economic transformation agenda. SMEs constitute the overwhelming majority of businesses across the region and are not only engines of economic growth, but also critical pathways for employment creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive development.

These views were articulated during the SADC High-Level Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Public-Private Dialogue Forum, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2 to 3 February 2026.

The Forum was convened primarily to promote and operationalize the SADC SME Development and Competitiveness Strategy (2025–2029). It provided a practical platform for translating policy commitments into tangible outcomes through experience-sharing, collaborative problem-solving, consensus-building, the dissemination of best practices, and the identification of priority national and regional interventions in support of the Strategy.

Ms. Angèle Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary responsible for Regional Integration, urged the region to adopt diversified and innovative approaches to strengthening SME operations, underscoring that SMEs are the backbone of SADC’s industrialisation and drivers of regional integration and prosperity. 

She further noted that, in support of SADC’s industrialisation agenda, the region developed the SME Development and Competitiveness Strategy (2025–2029). The Strategy provides a coherent and harmonised regional framework aimed at boosting SME productivity, deepening their integration into regional and global value chains, and enhancing their contribution to industrial development, job creation, and inclusive and sustainable growth.

Mr. Mzwanele Memani, Chairperson of the SADC High-Level SMEs Forum and Acting Chief Director for the Department of Small Business Development of the Republic of South Africa, commended SADC Member States for ongoing efforts to strengthen SME support frameworks and acknowledged the indispensable role of development partners. He called for intensified technical assistance, improved access to finance, and stronger policy advocacy to reinforce SME ecosystems across the region. He emphasised that enhancing SME competitiveness is essential to accelerating enterprise growth and expanding participation in regional markets.

Mr. Khulekani Mathe, Chairperson of the SADC Business Council and Chief Executive Officer of Business Unity – South Africa, provided an overview of the economic contribution of SMEs within the region. He noted that SMEs contribute more than 50 per cent of regional GDP, account for nearly 80 per cent of employment and represent approximately 90 per cent of registered businesses. He underscored that SMEs are the primary source of employment, particularly for youth and women. Despite their significance, he observed that SME participation in intra-regional trade and regional value chains remains disproportionately low.

Mr. Mathe also highlighted several instructive examples from selected SADC Member States that could be scaled up region-wide, including targeted support for SME integration into regional textile, agro-processing, and several services value chains; policy harmonisation initiatives; improved access to standards and quality infrastructure.

Over the two days, participants deliberated on key strategic priorities to accelerate implementation of the SME Development and Competitiveness Strategy (2025–2029). These included solution-oriented financing mechanisms, market integration, standards and quality infrastructure, skills development, innovation and digitalisation, as well as opportunities for SMEs arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Forum formed part of SADC’s ongoing efforts to fast-track implementation of the Strategy by unpacking practical interventions aligned to its five strategic pillars: policy and regulatory reform; entrepreneurship and skills development; technology and infrastructure; market access; and access to finance.

The event brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including officials from SADC Member States, the SADC Business Council, representatives of the African Union Commission and the African Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, regional and international cooperating and development partners, SME support institutions and business associations, policymakers, private sector representatives, financial institutions, and SME experts.

Kirkland & Ellis represented Fangzhou Inc. (Fangzhou Jianke, HKEX: 6086) on its issuance of 45,181,000 shares through a top-up placement. The placing was announced on January 27, 2026 and completed on February 2, 2026. Guotai Junan Securities (Hong Kong) Limited acts as its sole placing agent.

The net proceeds from the placing, after deducting all costs and expenses, amounted to approximately HK$144.3 million.
 
Read the transaction announcement
 
The Kirkland team included capital markets lawyers Mengyu Lu and Sierra Tao. 

• Submissions are supported by data from the Phase 3 Viti-Up clinical studies demonstrating upadacitinib achieved the co-primary endpoints of at least a 50% improvement in total body re-pigmentation (T-VASI 50) and at least a 75% improvement in facial re-pigmentation (F-VASI 75) from baseline at week 48.¹
• If approved, upadacitinib will be the first systemic medication available for patients with vitiligo, addressing important treatment needs for those living with the chronic, unpredictable autoimmune disease.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has submitted applications for a new indication to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for upadacitinib (RINVOQ^®; 15 mg, once daily) for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients living with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). The regulatory submissions to the FDA and EMA are supported by previously announced results from the Viti-Up studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with NSV.

Vitiligo is a chronic, autoimmune disease that imposes a significant psychosocial burden, profoundly affecting an individual’s confidence, identity and daily life.² NSV, the most common form of vitiligo (afflicting approximately 84% of patients), is marked by symmetrical and bilateral depigmented white patches and is prone to unpredictable progression even after long periods of stability.^3-6 Vitiligo management is anchored in three primary treatment goals: disease stabilization, re-pigmentation, and maintaining re-pigmentation.^7-9 There are currently no approved systemic medicines for achieving these treatment goals in vitiligo.

“Many patients experience ongoing frustration due to the unpredictability of non-segmental vitiligo spread and the lack of systemic treatment options that can stabilize disease progression and achieve skin re-pigmentation,” said Kori Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical development, AbbVie. “The Viti-Up clinical studies explored these treatment gaps in vitiligo care and reinforced AbbVie’s dedication to providing the first systemic treatment for patients, aiming to evolve the vitiligo treatment landscape.”

About Viti-Up Clinical Studies¹
Upadacitinib M19-044 was conducted under a single protocol encompassing two replicate Phase 3 studies (Study 1 and Study 2) with independent randomization, investigative sites, data collection, analysis and reporting for each study. The studies were designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of upadacitinib in adult and adolescent patients (ages 12 and older) living with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV) who were eligible for systemic therapy. In Period A of both studies, participants were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either upadacitinib 15 mg once daily or placebo for 48 weeks. Participants who completed Period A were eligible to enter Period B, a 112-week open-label extension in which all patients received upadacitinib 15 mg once daily. In total, Study 1 and Study 2 Periods A and B span 160 weeks. The two studies randomized 614 participants with NSV across 90 sites worldwide. More information on these studies can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06118411).

The co-primary endpoints were based on the achievement of Total Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (T-VASI) 50, defined as at least 50% reduction in T-VASI from baseline, at week 48, and the achievement of Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI) 75, defined as at least 75% reduction in F-VASI from baseline, at week 48 with the treatment of upadacitinib 15 mg compared with placebo in adults and adolescents with NSV.

The secondary endpoints include the achievement of F-VASI 50, defined as at least a 50% reduction in F-VASI from baseline, at week 48, and the achievement of F-VASI 75, defined as at least a 75% reduction in facial vitiligo area from baseline, at week 24. These endpoints were designed to assess the degree and timing of re-pigmentation on the face, an area among the most visible and psychosocially impactful for people living with NSV.

About Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a chronic, autoimmune disease that imposes a significant psychosocial burden, profoundly affecting an individual’s confidence, identity, and daily life. Non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), the most common form of vitiligo (afflicting approximately 84% of patients), is marked by symmetrical and bilateral depigmented white patches and is prone to unpredictable progression even after long periods of stability. While location varies, many patients report patches on critical areas such as the face, feet, hands and groin. Vitiligo management is anchored in three primary treatment goals: disease stabilization, re-pigmentation and maintaining re-pigmentation.

About RINVOQ^® (upadacitinib)
Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Based on enzymatic and cellular assays, RINVOQ demonstrated greater inhibitory potency for JAK-1 vs JAK-2, JAK-3, and TYK-2. The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness and safety is not currently known.

Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trials for alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, Takayasu arteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vitiligo. The use of upadacitinib in non-segmental vitiligo is not approved, and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.

RINVOQ (upadacitinib) U.S. Uses and Important Safety Information¹⁰

RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:

• Adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
• Adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
• Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
• Adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation when a TNF blocker medicine has been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
• Adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA).
• Adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated, or after taking a different injection or pill (systemic therapy) when your healthcare provider does not recommend TNF blockers.
• Adults with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (CD) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated, or after taking a different injection or pill (systemic therapy) when your healthcare provider does not recommend TNF blockers.

It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children with ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease.

• Adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis [AD]) that did not respond to previous treatment and their eczema is not well controlled with other pills or injections, including biologic medicines, or the use of other pills or injections is not recommended.

It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.

It is not known if RINVOQ LQ is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis.

RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:

• Children 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.
• Children 2 to less than 18 years of age with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated.

It is not known if RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ (upadacitinib)

What is the most important information I should know about RINVOQ*?

RINVOQ may cause serious side effects, including:

• Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened while taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider (HCP) should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your HCP tells you it is okay. If you get a serious infection, your HCP may stop your treatment until your infection is controlled. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster).
• Increased risk of death in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor.
• Cancer and immune system problems. RINVOQ may increase your risk of certain cancers. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Current or past smokers are at higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Follow your HCP’s advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with RINVOQ. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use sunscreen.
• Increased risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor, especially if you are a current or past smoker.
• Blood clots. Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries can happen with RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of the legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years and older and with at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor.
• Allergic reactions. Symptoms such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, that may mean you are having an allergic reaction have been seen in people taking RINVOQ. Some of these reactions were serious. If any of these symptoms occur during treatment with RINVOQ, stop taking RINVOQ and get emergency medical help right away.
• Tears in the stomach or intestines. This happens most often in people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Get medical help right away if you get stomach-area pain, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.
• Changes in certain laboratory tests. Your HCP should do blood tests before you start taking RINVOQ and while you take it. Your HCP may stop your RINVOQ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.

Do not take RINVOQ if you are allergic to upadacitinib or any of the ingredients in RINVOQ. See the Medication Guide or Consumer Brief Summary for a complete list of ingredients.

What should I tell my HCP BEFORE starting RINVOQ?
Tell your HCP if you:

• Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won’t go away or keeps coming back, or have symptoms of an infection, such as:

• Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
• Are a current or past smoker.
• Have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke.
• Have or have had any type of cancer, hepatitis B or C, shingles (herpes zoster), blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.
• Have other medical conditions, including liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.
• Live, have lived, or have traveled to parts of the country, such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest, that increase your risk of getting certain kinds of fungal infections. If you are unsure if you’ve been to these types of areas, ask your HCP.
• Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take RINVOQ should not receive live vaccines.
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on animal studies, RINVOQ may harm your unborn baby. Your HCP will check whether or not you are pregnant before you start RINVOQ. You should use effective birth control (contraception) to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with RINVOQ and for 4 weeks after your last dose.
• There is a pregnancy surveillance program for RINVOQ. The purpose of the program is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become pregnant while taking RINVOQ, you are encouraged to report the pregnancy by calling 1-800-633-9110.
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. RINVOQ may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with RINVOQ and for 6 days after your last dose.

Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.

Especially tell your HCP if you take:

• Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections
• Rifampicin or phenytoin
• Medicines that affect your immune system

If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your HCP or pharmacist.

What should I avoid while taking RINVOQ?
Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with RINVOQ as it may increase the risk of side effects.

What should I do or tell my HCP AFTER starting RINVOQ?

• Tell your HCP right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. RINVOQ can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections you have worse.
• Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking RINVOQ, including:

• Discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
• Severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
• Pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Breaking out in a cold sweat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling lightheaded
• Weaknesses in one part or on one side of your body
• Slurred speech

• Tell your HCP right away if you have any signs or symptoms of blood clots during treatment with RINVOQ, including:

• Tell your HCP right away if you have a fever or stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.

What are other possible side effects of RINVOQ?
Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), shingles (herpes zoster), herpes simplex virus infections (including cold sores), bronchitis, nausea, cough, fever, acne, headache, swelling of the feet and hands (peripheral edema), increased blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, allergic reactions, inflammation of hair follicles, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, increased weight, flu, tiredness, lower number of certain types of white blood cells (neutropenia, lymphopenia, leukopenia), muscle pain, flu-like illness, rash, increased blood cholesterol levels, increased liver enzyme levels, pneumonia, low number of red blood cells (anemia), and infection of the stomach and intestine (gastroenteritis).

A separation or tear to the lining of the back part of the eye (retinal detachment) has happened in people with atopic dermatitis treated with RINVOQ. Call your HCP right away if you have any sudden changes in your vision during treatment with RINVOQ.
Some people taking RINVOQ may see medicine residue (a whole tablet or tablet pieces) in their stool. If this happens, call your HCP.

These are not all the possible side effects of RINVOQ.

How should I take RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ?
RINVOQ is taken once a day with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. Take RINVOQ exactly as your HCP tells you to use it. RINVOQ is available in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg extended-release tablets. RINVOQ LQ is taken twice a day with or without food. RINVOQ LQ is available in a 1 mg/mL oral solution. RINVOQ LQ is not the same as RINVOQ tablets. Do not switch between RINVOQ LQ and RINVOQ tablets unless the change has been made by your HCP.
*Unless otherwise stated, “RINVOQ” in the IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION refers to RINVOQ and RINVOQ LQ. 

This is the most important information to know about RINVOQ. For more information, talk to your HCP.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. For U.S. patients, visit AbbVie.com/PatientAccessSupport to learn more. 

Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

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, oncology and neuroscience – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project” and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may 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, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry, the impact of global macroeconomic factors, such as economic downturns or uncertainty, international conflict, trade disputes and tariffs, and other uncertainties and risks associated with global business operations. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie’s operations is set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of AbbVie’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in other documents that AbbVie subsequently files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that update, supplement or supersede such information. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

 

SOURCE AbbVie