AbbVie’s skin disease drug lessens abscess burden in Phase 3 but falls below expectations

AbbVie's lutikizumab met the primary endpoint in the Phase 3 INTREPID study of about 1,400 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, but efficacy fell below analyst expectations. The week-16 abscess and nodule count response rate was 31.4% versus 23.4% for placebo, a difference of 8%, compared with a 28% placebo-adjusted improvement in Phase 2. The study also hit eight secondary endpoints; BMO cited reductions in pain and flares, while Guggenheim said the results could support regulatory approval but expects limited adoption as monotherapy.