Skip to main content

Bimekizumab Yields Meaningful Response in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 30, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Bimekizumab is well tolerated and produces clinically meaningful responses in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, according to a study published online May 22 in The Lancet.

Alexa B. Kimball, M.D., from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues examined the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa in two identically designed, 48-week randomized, placebo-controlled trials (BE HEARD I and II [505 and 509 patients, respectively]). Patients (aged 18 years and older) were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous bimekizumab 320 mg every two weeks; bimekizumab 320 mg every two weeks to week 16, then every four weeks to week 48; bimekizumab 320 mg every four weeks to week 48; or placebo to week 16, then bimekizumab 320 mg every two weeks in a 2:2:2:1 ratio. The primary outcome was a hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response of at least 50 percent (HiSCR50) at week 16.

The researchers found that using modified nonresponder imputation, the primary outcome at week 16 was met in the group who received bimekizumab every two weeks; in both trials, higher responder rates were seen with bimekizumab versus placebo (odds ratios, 2.23 and 2.29, respectively, in BE HEARD I and II). HiSCR50 was also met in the group administered bimekizumab every four weeks in BE HEARD II (odds ratio, 2.42). The investigators observed a maintenance or increase in responses to week 48. In 8 and 5 percent of patients in BE HEARD I and BE HEARD II, respectively, serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported.

"These data support the use of bimekizumab as a promising new therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including UCB Pharma, which manufactures bimekizumab and funded the trial.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Narrowband UVB Phototherapy Underused for Pediatric Vitiligo

TUESDAY, April 8, 2025 -- Narrowband UVB (nbUVB) phototherapy may be underutilized in pediatric vitiligo, according to a study published online March 18 in Pediatric...

Rates of Dissatisfaction High for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Care

MONDAY, April 7, 2025 -- The rates of respondent dissatisfaction with current hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) treatment options are high, likely due to undertreatment with available...

Air Pollution May Contribute to Skin Health Issues

WEDNESDAY, March 26, 2025 -- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) appears to be associated with skin redness across age groups, according to a study published online March 12 in PLOS...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.