Category: 3. Business

  • Double-decker gets wedged under Chelmsford railway bridge

    Double-decker gets wedged under Chelmsford railway bridge

    Henry Godfrey-Evans

    BBC News, Essex

    Jobe Neaser A purple and white blue double-decker bus stuck under the arch of a large bridge. Jobe Neaser

    It took more than an hour to dislodge the double-decker

    A rail operator has urged bus drivers to “carefully plan their routes” after a double decker got wedged under a railway bridge.

    The bus got stuck under the bridge on Duke Street in Chelmsford on Wednesday, blocking a bus gate – a section of road only buses can use – from 17:30 BST until 18:45 BST.

    Network Rail said trains started running again after the bus was freed, but urged drivers to be be careful as similar incidents cost “millions of pounds” every year.

    The bridge is on the Great Eastern Main Line between London and Norwich. Bus operator First Bus said it was investigating the incident.

    Tracey Franklin A blue double-decker bus going under a low tunnel, a police officer is on the path to the rightTracey Franklin

    The Chelmsford bridge the bus got stuck under is on the mainline between Norwich and London

    A Network Rail spokesperson said trains to and from Chelmsford were delayed.

    They added: “Our teams were quickly on site to inspect the bridge.

    “Once the bus was safely removed and no structural damage was confirmed, normal train services resumed by 18:56.

    “Bridge strikes like this cost taxpayers millions of pounds each year and are entirely preventable.

    “We urge drivers to always consider the height and size of their vehicles, including any loads they are carrying, and to carefully plan their routes to avoid incidents that put our infrastructure at risk.”

    In a statement, First Bus said it “assisted emergency crews and recovery teams following an incident involving one of our service 372 buses hitting the Duke Street railway bridge in Chelmsford as it was travelling towards Colchester”.

    “We have not been made aware of any injuries, and we will be undertaking a full investigation,” it added.

    A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “Every road user has the responsibility of being aware of their surroundings and driving safely, and this bridge clearly displays a height limit of 12ft 6in (3.8m).

    “Drivers must be careful when passing under structures and make sure their vehicle’s fit before making the attempt.”

    A spokesperson for Essex Police said no passengers were on the bus and there were no reported injuries.

    The force said the road under the bridge had been closed to pedestrians for a “short time”.

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  • London Underground staff to walkout over pay

    London Underground staff to walkout over pay

    Getty Images passengers on board a crowded tube trainGetty Images

    London Underground staff will strike from 5 September for seven days

    There will be rolling strike action across the London Underground (LU) beginning on Friday 5 September for seven days, the RMT union has announced.

    The union claimed transport bosses refused to engage with them over pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week.

    RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “Fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issues impacting on our members health and wellbeing- all of which have not been adequately addressed for years by LU management.”

    A Transport for London (TfL) spokesperson said: “We urge the RMT to put our fair, affordable pay offer to their members and to continue to engage with us.”

    On Thursday, RMT accused management of a “dismissive approach”, adding this had “fuelled widespread anger and distrust” among the workforce.

    Staff at different grades will be taking industrial action at different times as part of rolling strike action, it said.

    TfL’s spokesperson said: “We regularly meet with our trade unions to discuss any concerns that they may have, and we recently met with the RMT to discuss some specific points.

    “We are committed to ensuring our colleagues are treated fairly and, as well as offering a 3.4% pay increase in our ongoing pay discussions, we have made progress on a number of commitments we have made previously.

    “We welcome further engagement with our unions about fatigue and rostering across London Underground, but a reduction in the contractual 35-hour working week is neither practical nor affordable.”

    In a separate dispute over pay and conditions, workers on the Docklands Light Railway will also be striking during this period in the week beginning 7 September.

    Mr Dempsey added: “RMT will continue to engage LU management with a view to seeking a revised offer in order to reach a negotiated settlement.”

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  • Caterpillar and Hunt Energy Company, L.P. Sign Long-Term Strategic Agreement to Deliver Power Solutions for Data Centers – Caterpillar

    1. Caterpillar and Hunt Energy Company, L.P. Sign Long-Term Strategic Agreement to Deliver Power Solutions for Data Centers  Caterpillar
    2. World’s largest data center campus could be coming to central Utah  KSL.com
    3. Caterpillar And Hunt Energy Sign Long-Term Agreement To Deliver Power Solutions For Data Centers  Stocktwits
    4. ‘Golden Spike of the internet’: Why AI data centers are coming to Delta  ABC4 Utah
    5. Data center project has first tenant  Millard County Chronicle Progress

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  • A&O Shearman posts USD3.7bn revenue, marking strong first year

    A&O Shearman posts USD3.7bn revenue, marking strong first year

    Landmark client successes 

    •  Liberty Global on its USD3.2bn Sunrise Communications spin-off and dual listing
    • Prosus on its EUR4.1bn acquisition of Just Eat Takeaway.com
    • Exscientia on its combination with US-based biotech company Recursion
    • The lenders on the restructuring of over USD11.5bn in offshore debt for Shimao Group Holdings
    • The underwriters on TD Bank’s USD14.6bn exit from Charles Schwab
    • The underwriters and funders on the EUR5.8bn debt refinancing of XpFibre
    • Uber on a litigation victory in a Securities Exchange Act case against Uber and its officers
    • SAP on a litigation victory in connection with the USD12.5bn sale of Qualtrics to Silver Lake Capital 

    Innovation leadership – pioneering AI and transforming legal delivery through technology 

    The firm continues to advance the boundaries of technology for lawyers. A&O Shearman was the first firm globally to deploy generative AI enterprise-wide when it rolled out Harvey in 2022. ContractMatrix, the firm’s award-winning AI-based contract management platform, is built in collaboration with Harvey and Microsoft. 

    In April 2025, the firm began rolling out a suite of agentic AI agents, built in partnership with Harvey, that tackle complex legal workflows. The initial agents focus on antitrust filing analysis, cybersecurity, fund formation, and loan review – high-value areas requiring deep legal expertise and multi-step reasoning. 

    A&O Shearman brings this understanding of AI technologies (and the infrastructure used to build them) and real-world AI governance to deliver innovative and uniquely pragmatic advice to clients on managing AI legal risk. The firm has dedicated AI experts in every major jurisdiction across the full risk spectrum and every stage of the AI value chain. The firm counsels numerous tech and industry giants, some of the largest AI foundation model developers, three of the five biggest Western banks in the world, and a G20 country on its national AI strategy and AI regulation.

    A&O Shearman has begun FY26 with landmark client wins, including advising Partners Group on its joint acquisition of Techem – the largest M&A transaction in Germany this year; Athora on its GBP5.7bn acquisition of Pension Insurance Corporation Group; Sanmina in its USD3bn acquisition of ZT Systems’ data center business; the lenders on EQT’s USD5.5bn acquisition of Fortnox AB; Froneri on its EUR4.25bn financing; and Sizewell C on its supply chain and contracting strategy for the GBP38bn nuclear project.

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  • AI Is Already Aiding Clinical Practice Across the Cancer Care Continuum

    AI Is Already Aiding Clinical Practice Across the Cancer Care Continuum

    The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding in oncologic clinical practice, with applications including expediting administrative tasks, risk-stratification testing, research, and assistance with interpreting pathology and imaging results.

    In order to gain a better understanding of how this technology is currently being applied to practice and where it could be heading in the near future, OncLive® spoke with:

    Alicia Morgans, MD, MPH, a genitourinary medical oncologist and the Medical Director of the Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Balazs Halmos, MD, a professor in the Departments of Oncology (Medical Oncology) and Medicine (Oncology and Hematology), and the associate director of Clinical Science at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York, New York.

    Nitin K. Yerram, MD, the codirector of Urologic Oncology and the director of Urologic Research at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

    Samina Hirani, MBBS, a hematologist/oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

    Alexander Itskovich, MD, the medical director of Oncology Services of the Statesir Cancer Center at Atlantic Health CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, New Jersey.

    Ruben Mesa, MD, FACP, the senior vice president of Atrium Health and the president and executive director of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as the vice dean for Cancer Programs and the Charles L. Spurr, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

    “These tools don’t replace the physician’s judgment—they augment it,” Itskovich said. “AI can rapidly sift through massive amounts of data, but the interpretation, clinical decision-making, and patient communication remain firmly in human hands. Together, these technologies are not just making my work more efficient—they’re helping to ensure that fewer clinically significant findings slip through the cracks.”

    Significant Time Savings Seen With Administrative Tasks and Patient Communication

    Due to its ability to quickly synthesize and organize large datasets, AI is already being used to streamline administrative tasks such as dictation, note taking, and patient monitoring and communication. Examples of these tools include Ambient Voice AI and DAX Copilot.

    “Ambient Voice AI allows conversations between patients and clinicians to be securely captured and transformed into medical notes in real time,” Itskovich said. “This technology dramatically reduces the administrative burden of manual notetaking, allowing me to listen more attentively and focus on the patient, rather than writing the note. It’s not just a timesaver; it improves patient engagement and accuracy of documentation.”

    “Our institution has been piloting the use of DAX Copilot with good success,” Mesa said. “It listens to my discussion with the patient and generates an editable draft of notes. It learns from the style of my prior notes and gets better and better [with additional use].”

    AI Makes a Difference in Risk Stratification and Disease Detection

    Multiple investigators in the field of prostate cancer indicated that they are presently using the ArteraAI Prostate Test in their clinical practice. “ArteraAI is a multimodal AI model for [patients with] intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer to help predict whether a patient is likely to benefit from the addition of androgen deprivation therapy [ADT] to their radiation treatment with curative intent,” Morgans explained.

    In March 2024, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network included ArteraAI in its updated Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Prostate Cancer, making it the first AI-enabled predictive and prognostic test to be included in the prostate cancer guidelines.1 The tool was classified with a Category 2A recommendation and was supported by level 1B evidence from multiple phase 3 clinical trials.

    “We are currently using the ArteraAI Prostate Test to improve the risk-stratification of patients who have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer,” Yerram added. “This tool helps to better individualize patient care and provides patients with a clear path forward regarding treatment, whether that is through surveillance, surgery, or radiation.”

    During the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, investigators presented findings from an analysis of the ArteraAI Prostate Test v1.2 for identifying patients who could benefit the most from the addition of abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) with or without prednisolone and/or enzalutamide (Xtandi) to standard-of-care ADT the analysis revealed that patients who were identified by ArteraAI as being in the upper risk quartile of risk derived the greatest benefit with the addition of abiraterone in terms of metastasis-free survival, prostate cancer-specific mortality, and distant metastasis.

    AI tools are also starting to be adopted for the analysis of imaging and pathology reports. “Machine learning is transforming how we detect and manage incidentalomas—unexpected findings on imaging performed for unrelated reasons. These findings can range from benign cysts to potentially malignant tumors. In the past, incidentalomas in radiology reports could be overlooked due to the sheer volume of imaging that is performed. Now, AI algorithms can scan imaging reports, and any abnormal findings are moved into a specialized workflow that serves as a safety net for our patients,” Itskovich said.

    Enhancing and Expediting the Research Processes

    Mesa explained that he uses DAX Copilot to create power point slides based on his published research, perform journal article review, and are working to incorporate AI into the clinical trial matching process. Platforms such as OpenEvidence can be used to create tables and figures, ask clinical questions, perform guideline searches, create exam questions, and conduct literature searches.

    “I use OpenEvidence commonly, that’s my number 1 go-to, but I [also use] Grok AI for research purposes,” Hirani commented.

    Excitement Is Mounting for the Future of AI in the Clinic

    Looking ahead, investigators are highly optimistic about the future of AI in the clinical and the potential effect it could have on improving treatment for patients with cancer. As AI technology continues to improve and tools are refined, they will be more integrated into clinical practice, saving investigators time and benefiting patients through enhanced disease detection.

    “I believe the future of AI in the clinic is incredibly bright and it will [have an effect] on everything,” Halmos said. “We’re looking at new biomarkers for antibody-drug conjugates aided by AI, as well as its use for lung cancer screening. It could also be used to break down medical jargon for patients and break down language barriers. AI will certainly add an additional tool with utility to our clinics.”

    References

    1. ArteraAI announced as the first-and-only predictive test for therapy personalization in the 2024 NCCN Guidelines for prostate cancer. News release. ArteraAI. March 4, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240304893588/en/ArteraAI-Announced-as-the-First-and-Only-Predictive-Test-for-Therapy-Personalization-in-the-2024-NCCN-Guidelines-for-Prostate-Cancer
    2. Parker CTA, Liu VYT, Mendes L, et al. Multimodal artificial intelligence (MMAI) model to identify benefit from 2nd-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPI) in high-risk non-metastatic prostate cancer patients from STAMPEDE. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(suppl 16):5001. doi:10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.5001

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  • Hundreds of thousands of Grok chats exposed in Google results

    Hundreds of thousands of Grok chats exposed in Google results

    Liv McMahon

    Technology reporter

    Getty Images Grok logo displayed on a smartphone, with it's logo shown on a blurred, larger backdrop behind it. Getty Images

    Hundreds of thousands of user conversations with Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok have been exposed in search engine results – seemingly without users’ knowledge.

    Unique links are created when Grok users press a button to share a transcript of their conversation – but as well as sharing the chat with the intended recipient, the button also appears to have made the chats searchable online.

    A Google search on Thursday revealed it had indexed nearly 300,000 Grok conversations.

    It has led one expert to describe AI chatbots as a “privacy disaster in progress”.

    The BBC has approached X for comment.

    The appearance of Grok chats in search engine results was first reported by tech industry publication Forbes, which counted more than 370,000 user conversations on Google.

    Among chat transcripts seen by the BBC were examples of Musk’s chatbot being asked to create a secure password, provide meal plans for weight loss and answer detailed questions about medical conditions.

    Some indexed transcripts also showed users’ attempts to test the limits on what Grok would say or do.

    In one example seen by the BBC, the chatbot provided detailed instructions on how to make a Class A drug in a lab.

    It is not the first time that peoples’ conversations with AI chatbots have appeared more widely than they perhaps initially realised when using “share” functions.

    OpenAI recently rowed back an “experiment” which saw ChatGPT conversations appear in search engine results when shared by users.

    A spokesperson told BBC News at the time it had been “testing ways to make it easier to share helpful conversations, while keeping users in control”.

    They said user chats were private by default and users had to explicitly opt-in to sharing them.

    Earlier this year, Meta faced criticism after shared users conversations with its chatbot Meta AI appeared in a public “discover” feed on its app.

    ‘Privacy disaster’

    While users’ account details may be anonymised or obscured in shared chatbot transcripts, their prompts may still contain – and risk revealing – personal, sensitive information about someone.

    Experts say this highlights mounting concerns over users’ privacy.

    “AI chatbots are a privacy disaster in progress,” Prof Luc Rocher, associate professor at the Oxford Internet Institute, told the BBC.

    They said “leaked conversations” from chatbots have divulged user information ranging from full names and location, to sensitive details about their mental health, business operations or relationships.

    “Once leaked online, these conversations will stay there forever,” they added.

    Meanwhile Carissa Veliz, associate professor in philosophy at Oxford University’s Institute for Ethics in AI, said users not being told shared chats would appear in search results is “problematic”.

    “Our technology doesn’t even tell us what it’s doing with our data, and that’s a problem,” she said.

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  • Thursday stocks highlighted by analysts include Nvidia

    Thursday stocks highlighted by analysts include Nvidia

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  • Rupee Extends Winning Streak Against Dollar to 10 Days

    Rupee Extends Winning Streak Against Dollar to 10 Days

    The Pakistani Rupee (PKR) on Thursday appreciated by 03 paisa against the US Dollar (USD) in the interbank trading and closed at Rs. 281.92 against the previous day’s closing of Rs. 281.95.

    However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs. 284 and Rs. 284.5, respectively.

    The price of the Euro increased by 25 paisa to close at Rs. 328.58 against the last day’s closing of Rs. 328.33, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    The Japanese yen went up by 01 paisa and closed at Rs. 1.91, while the exchange rate of the British Pound witnessed a decrease of Rs. 1.07 to close at Rs. 379.74 against the last day’s closing of Rs. 380.81.

    The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal came down by 01 paisa each to close at Rs. 76.75 and Rs. 75.12, respectively.


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  • Stay Ahead in AI Healthcare: NEJM’s Curated Insights

    Stay Ahead in AI Healthcare: NEJM’s Curated Insights

    Artificial intelligence offers capabilities to streamline research workflows, improve information retrieval accuracy, and distill complex data into meaningful decision-making support across organizations.

    Executive summary

    Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) are making inroads and headlines in healthcare.
    Accordingly, the need for researchers and clinicians to find the latest, most accurate,
    clinically relevant information about AI in healthcare (AIH) has grown exponentially.
    However, the vast sea of databases from which one can draw often presents
    overwhelming noise, requiring users to possess significant expertise in searching and
    appraising information.

    In contrast, the NEJM Collection published by the NEJM Group, particularly NEJM AI, offers
    a guiding light by purposefully curating signals from noise to provide the latest, most
    clinically relevant, and immediately transformative information on all AIH topics.

    NEJM AI: Transforming healthcare research

    AIH is a topic of intense discovery and discussion. Articles alternately spotlight AIH’s
    promise or its perils. Many proofs of concept exist for AI-enabled technologies; however,
    studies to date on those technologies have been small and sparse. Moreover, patient
    outcomes have not been consistently measured, so the effectiveness of the technology
    is unclear. The crucial question of performance gain — what measurable improvement is
    due to the AI model alone — needs to be rigorously addressed.

    The average clinician often struggles to interpret the results of an AI study while trying to
    determine whether the tool is safe and effective enough to use in practice, partly due to
    the time-intensive nature of appraisal and the sheer volume of new publications.

    Medical librarians can bridge the gap

    Medical librarians are uniquely positioned to fill those information and skill gaps as
    they increasingly field user questions regarding how to find good research on AIH and
    interpret the results. AIH information can be drawn from a vast sea of databases, but
    the onus is on the user to apply the right filters and be an expert in evaluating the
    information. In contrast, the NEJM Complete Collection, including NEJM AI, provides a
    guiding light to the latest, most clinically relevant information about AIH. Librarians can
    support clinicians not only in searching but also in developing algorithmic literacy and
    critically appraising AI outputs, a crucial skill in a rapidly evolving landscape.

    The NEJM Complete Collection is a product suite of high-impact, peer-reviewed content
    curated for researchers, physician learners, and educators at medical schools. The
    collection stands alone as an entire ecosystem that deliberately separates signal
    from noise, offering only the most relevant, immediately transformative information
    for proactively advancing care. Beyond simply presenting information, the portfolio
    curates content for accuracy and clinical relevance, while also offering physician-editor
    commentary to provide essential context and clinical decision-making support.

    How to optimize the use of the NEJM Collection

    For all users, NEJM Journal Watch can serve as the primary entry point for research.
    Its authors cull information from more than 150 medical journals, generating succinct
    summaries of clinical studies, highlighting key findings and clinical implications, and
    providing expert commentary. This effectively offloads the overwhelming task of staying
    current and appraising diverse literature for clinicians and researchers. Topics can then
    be explored in more depth within the primary articles.

    Complementary publications

    The journals in the NEJM Complete Collection are designed to complement each other,
    each with a distinct and necessary mission aligned towards specific improvements in
    research and medicine, rather than merely increasing publication volume. Consider this
    AIH example:

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  • AbbVie Announces Positive Topline Results from Second Phase 3 UP-AA Trial Evaluating Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) for Alopecia Areata

    AbbVie Announces Positive Topline Results from Second Phase 3 UP-AA Trial Evaluating Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) for Alopecia Areata

    AbbVie Announces Positive Topline Results from Second Phase 3 UP-AA Trial Evaluating Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) for Alopecia Areata

    • In the second replicate study (Study 1) of the pivotal Phase 3 UP-AA clinical program, upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) achieved the primary endpoint, demonstrating that 45.2% and 55.0% of patients with severe alopecia areata treated with upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, reached 80% or more scalp hair coverage at week 24 as defined by the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score ≤ 201
    • Key secondary endpoints, including improvements in eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as the percentage of subjects with 90% or more scalp coverage (SALT ≤ 10) and complete scalp hair coverage (SALT=0) at week 24, were also met 1
    • The safety profile in alopecia areata was generally consistent with that in approved indications, and no new safety signals were identified in this study1
    • These results are consistent with the topline results from the first parallel replicate study (Study 2) of the Phase 3 UP-AA clinical program

    NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced positive topline results from the second of two pivotal studies of the Phase 3 UP-AA clinical program evaluating the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib (RINVOQ®; 15 mg and 30 mg, once daily) in adult and adolescent patients with severe alopecia areata (AA) with a mean baseline SALT score of 84.0 (approximately 16% scalp hair coverage).1

    In Study 1, both doses of upadacitinib achieved the primary endpoint, with 45.2% and 55.0% of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, reaching 80% or more scalp hair coverage (SALT score ≤ 20) at week 24, compared to 1.5% of patients receiving placebo (p<0.001).1 These results are consistent with the topline results previously announced from the first parallel replicate study (Study 2) of the Phase 3 UP-AA clinical program.

    “These positive results strengthen the growing body of evidence supporting the potential of upadacitinib to improve the lives of people with AA,” said Kori Wallace, M.D., Ph.D., vice president, global head of immunology clinical development, AbbVie. “We are very encouraged by the improvements in both scalp and non-scalp hair regrowth observed with both doses of upadacitinib and look forward to submitting these data to regulatory bodies, bringing us one step closer to delivering upadacitinib to those living with this complex immune-mediated disease.”

    35.2% and 45.8% of patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg, respectively, reached 90% or more scalp hair coverage (SALT ≤ 10), compared to 0.7% of patients receiving placebo at week 24 (p<0.001).1 Additional key secondary endpoints that were met included percentage of subjects with improvements in eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as the percentage of subjects with complete scalp hair coverage (SALT=0) with both doses of upadacitinib at week 24.1

    “People living with AA often face considerable uncertainty related to both the severity and duration of hair loss, despite current treatment options,” said Arash Mostaghimi, M.D., M.P.A., M.P.H., associate professor of dermatology and vice chair of clinical trials and innovation, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. “These encouraging results are consistent with and reinforce the outcomes observed in the first pivotal trial. Together, these findings underscore the potential of upadacitinib to provide meaningful hair regrowth, offering hope for those enduring the psychosocial burden associated with this disease.”

    The safety profile of both doses of upadacitinib in the 24-week, placebo-controlled period (Period A) was generally consistent with that observed in approved indications.1 Treatment-emergent serious adverse events occurred in 1.9% and 1.8% of patients in the upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg groups, respectively, and 0.7% in the placebo group.1 Discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 1.1% and 1.5% of patients in the upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg groups, respectively, and none in the placebo group.1 The most common TEAEs observed were upper respiratory tract infection, acne, blood creatine phosphokinase increased and nasopharyngitis.1 Serious infections were reported infrequently with one in the placebo group and one in the upadacitinib 30 mg group, and none in the upadacitinib 15 mg group group.1 There were no adjudicated MACE, adjudicated venous thromboembolic events or deaths reported.1 One malignancy (breast cancer) was reported in the upadacitinib 15 mg group.1

    Use of upadacitinib in AA is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.

    About UP-AA Clinical Trial 

    UP-AA M23-716 was conducted as a single protocol that includes two replicate pivotal studies (Study 1 and Study 2) with randomization, investigative sites, data collection, analysis and reporting independent for each study. The Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies evaluate efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in adult and adolescent subjects with severe alopecia areata. In Study 1 and Study 2 Period A, participants are randomized to one of three groups to receive upadacitinib 15 mg, upadacitinib 30 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. In Study 1 and Study 2 Period B, participants originally randomized to upadacitinib dose groups in Period A will continue their same treatment in Period B for 28 weeks. Participants originally randomized to placebo in Period A will either remain on placebo in Period B, or be randomized in one of two groups, based off of their SALT score at week 24. In total, Study 1 and Study 2 Periods A and B span 52 weeks. Participants who complete Study 1 or Study 2, can join Study 3 and may be re-randomized to receive 1 of 2 doses of upadacitinib for up to 108 weeks. The two trials randomized 1,399 participants with severe AA ages 12 to 64 across 248 sites worldwide. More information on this trial can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06012240).

    About RINVOQ

    Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. In human leukocyte cellular assays, RINVOQ inhibited cytokine-induced STAT phosphorylation mediated by JAK1 and JAK1/JAK3 more potently than JAK2/JAK2 mediated STAT phosphorylation.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.3,4,5,6,7

    RINVOQ (upadacitinib) U.S. Uses and Important Safety Information1

    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.
    • 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.

    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:

    ̶    Fever, sweating, or chills

    ̶    Shortness of breath

    ̶    Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body

    ̶    Muscle aches

    ̶    Feeling tired

    ̶    Blood in phlegm

    ̶    Diarrhea or stomach pain

     

    ̶    Cough

    ̶    Weight loss

    ̶    Burning when urinating or urinating more often than normal

    • 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
    –  Weakness 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:

    ̶    Swelling

    ̶    Pain or tenderness in one or both legs

    ̶    Sudden unexplained chest or upper back pain

    ̶    Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

    • 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. 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, neuroscience and eye care – 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 (formerly Twitter) 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.

    Media:

    Lindsay Cangemi

    lindsay.cangemi@abbvie.com

    Investors:

    Liz Shea

    liz.shea@abbvie.com

    1 AbbVie. Data on file ABVRRTI81580.
    2 RINVOQ [Package Insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; 2025.
    3 A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Participants with Takaysu Arteritis (TAK) (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04161898. Accessed January 15, 2025.
    4 Program to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Oral Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SELECT-SLE). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05843643. Accessed January 15, 2025.
    5 A Study to Assess Change in Disease Activity and Adverse Events of Oral Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF Therapy (Step-Up HS). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05889182. Accessed January 15, 2025.
    6 A Study To Assess Adverse Events and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Oral Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Vitiligo (Viti-Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06118411. Accessed January 15, 2025.
    7 A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Severe Alopecia Areata (Up-AA). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06012240. Accessed January 15, 2025.

    SOURCE AbbVie


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