Medac Pharma hired HCB Health as AOR for Rasuvo, an injectable drug used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

The firm is tasked with developing professional digital media and direct-to-patient promotions for Rasuvo, which was approved by the FDA in mid-2014. The privately held drugmaker launched the therapy in October 2014.

The agency said in a release that methotrexate is the most commonly used drug when treating RA and is considered a first-line treatment. Most patients currently take an oral version of the drug.

The new promotional campaign is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2016, said Al Topin, president of HCB’s Chicago office. The team is currently working on developing the campaign.  

“It’s a perfect fit,” he said. “It’s a company with strong ideas and important needs.”

Betsy Kramer, HCB’s SVP and director of account services, will lead the account team. HCB’s Erin Schwarz will lead the creative team. Earlier this year HCB acquired Topin & Associates, a Chicago-based agency. Medac Pharma is based in Chicago.