Good news for vitiligo patients: New treatment in Europe – and when will it reach Israel?

The European Union has approved a new systemic treatment for non-segmental vitiligo – Rinvoq (upadacitinib), taken as a once-daily pill. The treatment is intended for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older. Studies showed improvement in skin repigmentation, but not a complete cure. The drug has been submitted for registration in Israel but has not yet been approved.

The European Union has approved a new systemic treatment for non-segmental vitiligo – Rinvoq (RINVOQ), containing the active ingredient upadacitinib, taken as a once-daily pill. The treatment is intended for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who are suitable for systemic therapy. Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks melanin-producing cells, causing white patches on the skin. The approval was based on two Phase 3 studies involving 614 adults and adolescents. After 48 weeks, approximately 23%-25% of patients treated with the drug achieved at least 75% improvement in facial pigmentation, compared to 6%-7% in the placebo group. For the whole body, 19%-22% of patients achieved at least 50% improvement versus 6% in the placebo group. However, most participants did not reach the primary improvement endpoints, and the treatment does not cure the disease. The drug has been submitted for registration in Israel but has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Health, and the question of its inclusion in the health basket will be considered separately. The article presents detailed medical information while maintaining a neutral tone.