The UAE became the first country in the world to approve an oral treatment for non-segmental vitiligo, opening a new treatment option for eligible patients with the skin condition. The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) has approved a new therapeutic indication for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for adults and adolescents aged 12 and above with non-segmental vitiligo who require systemic treatment.
According to the EDE, the approval makes RINVOQ the first licensed oral treatment for this particular group of non-segmental vitiligo patients. Non-segmental vitiligo is the more common form of the condition and typically causes patches of lost skin colour that can appear symmetrically across different parts of the body. The medicine is taken once a day and is designed for patients whose condition requires treatment that works throughout the body.
The medicine's once-daily oral format could provide an additional option for eligible patients who require systemic therapy. However, the treatment is intended to be used under approved medical criteria and with appropriate medical supervision.
The UAE's decision is particularly notable since upadacitinib is already an established medicine for other inflammatory conditions. The new approval expands its use into vitiligo following regulatory assessment.
The EDE said the decision reflects the country's regulatory framework and its effort to respond to developments in pharmaceutical research. The agency also highlighted the potential to improve treatment outcomes and give patients faster access to newer therapies.
The approval could also strengthen the UAE's position in the rapidly developing dermatology and biotechnology market. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investigating targeted treatments for vitiligo, particularly therapies that address the immune mechanisms associated with pigment loss.
In February 2026, AbbVie submitted applications to US and European regulators for upadacitinib for adults and adolescents with non-segmental vitiligo, showing the wider interest in the medicine's potential use for the condition.
Also Read: UAE Unveils AI Cancer Drug ISM0387: 90 Molecules in 6 Months
The UAE approval does not mean that the medicine is suitable for every person with vitiligo. Eligibility depends on factors including age, disease type and whether systemic treatment is medically required.
For patients and healthcare professionals, the next focus will be how the treatment is incorporated into clinical practice and how regulators in other countries respond to the same indication.