AbbVie’s lutikizumab meets primary endpoint in phase 3 hidradenitis suppurativa trial but falls short of competitive benchmarks

AbbVie reported that its experimental antibody lutikizumab achieved the primary endpoint in the phase 3 Intrepid study for hidradenitis suppurativa.

The trial enrolled about 1,400 patients and at week 16, 31.4% of those receiving lutikizumab met the HiSCR75 criteria versus 23.4% on placebo, a statistically significant difference.

However, the magnitude of benefit was well below the 45‑50% response rate and 25‑point placebo advantage that analysts consider necessary for a differentiated product, raising doubts about the drug’s market potential.

Competitor Avalo Therapeutics saw its shares drop after the readout, while some analysts remained cautiously optimistic about the result.