Abbott Laboratories Inc., which has a research center in Worcester, has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval for an arthritis drug for use in children.
The company is asking for the same approval from the European Medicines Agency.
The drug, Humira, would be used to fight juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The filing marks the first time Abbott has sought permission to market Humira for use in children.
Abbott said testing during a 48-week trial showed Humira to be effective in treating juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Humira is currently used to treat arthritis and Crohn’s disease in adults.
