In a recent report from Dermatology Times, Acelyrin has disclosed the disappointing outcome of its experimental therapy, izokibep, which failed to meet the primary endpoint in a phase 2b/3 clinical trial. The trial aimed to assess the drug’s effectiveness in treating hidradenitis suppurativa, a challenging skin disease. Regrettably, the treatment results did not show a statistically significant advantage when compared to the placebo group.

Trial Results

The trial involved 175 patients living with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa, who received either a 160 mg dose of izokibep or a placebo once or twice a week for 16 weeks. There was a high rate of treatment discontinuation, starting as early as four weeks into the study.

At the end of the treatment period, 39% of patients in the once-weekly dosing group experienced a reduction in HS clinical response score (HiSCR75). However, 29% of those in the placebo group achieved similar scores. For the twice-weekly dosing group, 34% saw a decrease in HiSCR75 scores, which was not significantly different from the placebo arm. A total of 31 patients left the trial, primarily due to adverse events unrelated to izokibep treatment.

These trial results cast doubt on the company’s ongoing phase 3 trial evaluating izokibep for hidradenitis suppurativa. Despite this setback, Acelyrin remains optimistic that forthcoming results will demonstrate the drug’s efficacy.

About Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a dermatological condition characterized by painful, inflamed lumps that appear in areas like the groin, armpits, and under the breasts. In severe cases, it can severely impact daily life. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is thought to result from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, possibly involving autoinflammatory factors. Potential triggers include obesity, hot and humid conditions, tight clothing, and certain medications like lithium and oral contraceptives. The primary symptom is the development of painful lesions that often rupture and release fluid, with slow healing and scarring. Some patients experience such pain that sitting becomes difficult. Treatment approaches range from weight loss and warm baths for milder cases to medications, laser hair removal, and surgery. To learn more about hidradenitis suppurativa, click here.