AbbVie beats forecast as Humira sales surge

By Ransdell Pierson (Reuters) – AbbVie Inc on Friday reported stronger-than-expected results for the third quarter, when booming sales of its Humira arthritis treatment and Synthroid thyroid replacement drug more than offset lower demand for other medicines. Shares of the drugmaker, which was split off at the beginning of the year from Abbott Laboratories Inc, rose more than 3 percent. Humira, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and other conditions, is the world’s top-selling prescription drug. Its sales have risen steadily since it was introduced in 2002. …