New Drug Shows Promise for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

A late-stage trial shows the drug lutikizumab significantly reduces inflammatory skin lesions for patients with the condition.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Weight Loss

New Drug Shows Promise for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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In a late-stage clinical trial of 1,400 patients, AbbVie's experimental drug lutikizumab showed efficacy in treating hidradenitis suppurativa. The company now plans to explore combination therapies for the condition, which can be worsened by obesity.

Why it matters

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts quality of life, with obesity known to exacerbate disease activity. New treatment options are increasingly prioritized as the market for these therapies is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2035.

A Phase 3 clinical trial of 1,400 participants showed that 31% of patients treated with lutikizumab achieved at least a 75% reduction in inflammatory skin lesions after 16 weeks, compared to 23% of those on a placebo.

The players

AbbVie

A global pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for complex diseases, including immunology and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Gubra

A Danish biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of peptides for metabolic and obesity-related disorders.

The details

Lutikizumab aims to address the underlying inflammation characteristic of hidradenitis suppurativa, which manifests as painful lumps and abscesses. AbbVie is also looking toward future combination therapies, having licensed the amylin-mimetic weight-loss drug ABBV-295 from Gubra in 2025 to potentially manage the disease alongside weight-related factors.

2025: AbbVie licensed the weight-loss drug ABBV-295 from Gubra.
October 22, 2026: AbbVie reported the results of its late-stage clinical study.
End of 2026: Combination testing of lutikizumab and ABBV-295 is expected to begin.
End of 2026: Results from a separate late-stage trial for Rinvoq are anticipated.
2035: The market for hidradenitis suppurativa treatments is projected to reach $10 billion.

Health Landscape

This development marks a significant expansion of the current drug pipeline for AbbVie's immunology portfolio, which also includes testing for its existing medication Rinvoq. The study reflects a broader industry shift toward multi-target approaches for chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

If you are managing hidradenitis suppurativa, these findings highlight a potential new class of targeted treatments currently in development. It is worth discussing with your dermatologist whether you may be a candidate for clinical trials or what standard-of-care options are currently available.

The takeaway

Ongoing research into hidradenitis suppurativa is increasingly connecting the condition's severity to metabolic health. Patients should focus on maintaining open communication with their specialist to track any updates on approved therapies or new enrollment opportunities for clinical trials.

What happens next

Combination testing of lutikizumab and ABBV-295 is expected to begin by the end of 2026, and late-stage trial results for the drug Rinvoq in hidradenitis suppurativa are also expected by that time.