Where hidradenitis suppurativa treatment is heading
Hidradenitis suppurativa · Updated Nov 13, 2026
Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful lumps, abscesses and tunnels under the skin in the armpits, groin and other folds. It affects about 1 in 100 people. Three biologic injections are approved, and a wave of pills, creams and new antibodies is in phase 3.
- 101studies open or running
- 13phase 3 trials
- 917papers published this year
- 36NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
IL-17 blockers work for manyHappened 48% reached 50% response
Bimekizumab: 48% reached at least a 50% response at 16 weeks.
48%: reached at least a 50% response at 16 weeks.
Sonelokimab heads to the FDAHappened 67.2% 75% response, 1 year
67.2% held a 75% response at a year in VELA trials; an application was planned for 2026.
67.2%: reached at least a 75% response at 52 weeks.
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6 months
by May 2027
First cream resultsPossible
Two ~575-person phase 3 trials of ruxolitinib cream for milder HS finished in October 2026.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
Pills join the optionsPossible
Povorcitinib, a JAK1 pill, succeeded in phase 3 and has been submitted for approval in Europe.
IL-1 antibody resultsPossible
AbbVie's 1,400-person Intrepid trial of lutikizumab finishes December 2026.
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3 years
by late 2029
More pill optionsPossible
Phase 3 trials of remibrutinib (2027) and upadacitinib (2028) test two more pills.
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5 years
by late 2031
Treating the gene and skin barrier causesLong shot 8 gene variants
A gene study of 4,814 people found 8 variants in skin keratin pathways, pointing to new drug targets.
8: gene variants linked to HS.
The research paths
IL-17 antibodies
67.2% 75% response, 1 yearDetailsHide
Bimekizumab approved; sonelokimab next.
WatchFDA decision on sonelokimab.
Pills (JAK and BTK blockers)
Details and 2 trialsHide
Oral drugs: povorcitinib, upadacitinib, remibrutinib.
WatchPovorcitinib approvals.
New targets and creams
Details and 3 trialsHide
IL-1 antibodies and JAK creams for different stages.
WatchIntrepid and ruxolitinib cream results.
Borrowed from other conditions
From Eczema and vitiligo
Ruxolitinib cream
Phase 3
A JAK cream already approved for two skin conditions.
From Chronic hives
Remibrutinib
Phase 3
A BTK-blocking pill.
Open to join now
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Hurley stage 2, France
Targeted antibiotics
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting HS trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
What just happened
Sonelokimab 1-year results
67.2% at a 75% response.
Biologics compared head to head
Network meta-analysis.
Standard treatment today
- MildTopical clindamycin, antiseptic washes, weight loss and stopping smoking.
- ModerateTetracycline antibiotics; clindamycin plus rifampin; hormonal treatment in women.
- Moderate to severeAdalimumab, secukinumab or bimekizumab injections.
- Tunnels and scarringDeroofing or wide excision surgery, often with a biologic.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- Response rates are measured differently across trials (50%, 75% or complete response), so compare carefully.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See HS trials recruiting now →