• Abbott Park, Ill.-based Abbott's blockbuster drug Humira (adalimumab) was approved by the FDA Friday to include treatment of moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis in adults when immunosuppressant medicines like corticosteroids, azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine have not worked. The drug is an anti-tumor necrosis factor that blocks proteins, which play an important role in abnormal inflammatory and immune responses. The FDA previously approved Humira to treat rheumatoid arthritis (2002), psoriatic arthritis (2005), ankylosing spondylitis (2006), Crohn's disease (2007), plaque psoriasis (2008) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (2008). The drug brings in about $8 billion a year for Abbott.

• Janssen-Cilag International NV, of Beerse, Belgium, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, said the European Commission granted approval for the subcutaneous administration of Velcade (bortezomib) in multiple myeloma. The approval was based on Phase III data showing that the subcutaneous version of the proteasome inhibitor was equally effective as intravenous bortezomib but was associated with a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of side effects and offered greater convenience to patients.

• Novo Nordisk A/S, of Bagsvaerd, Denmark, said the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Tresiba (insulin degludec) to treat diabetes. The once-daily basal insulin studies showed a duration of action lasting beyond 42 hours in trials including 10,000 patients with Type I or Type II diabetes.

• Stiefel, of Research Triangle Park, N.C., said the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Sorilux (calcipotriene) Foam. The sNDA expands the indication for Sorilux Foam to include the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp in patients 18 and older.