Acelyrin has shared positive results from a late-stage study of its IL-17A inhibitor izokibep in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but has said it will not be moving forward with the asset in this indication.

Estimated to affect about 1% of the population in most studied countries, HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules and abscesses.

In the phase 3 trial, izokibep demonstrated statistically significant responses across multiple efficacy endpoints at week 12, with 33% of patients being treated with izokibep 160mg weekly achieving at least a 75% reduction in total abscess and inflammatory nodule count (HiSCR75) compared to 21% of those receiving placebo.

Results also showed that 25% and 22% of izokibep-treated patients achieved HiSCR90 and HiSCR100, respectively, compared to 9% and 8% in the placebo cohort.

The announcement comes shortly after the drug demonstrated promising results in a phase 2b/3 study for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Acelyrin said it will complete the ongoing HS and PsA trials, but will suspend new investment in these indications. A phase 2b/3 trial of izokibep in uveitis will also continue through its primary endpoint, with top-line data expected later this year.

Mina Kim, Acelyrin’s chief executive officer, said: “While [this] positive HS data and previously announced PsA data supports a path to approval for izokibep, we have determined that a programme of this breadth and size is best brought to market by a larger organisation with the resources and existing footprint in these indications.”

The company outlined that it will now be prioritising the development of lonigutamab, an anti-IGF-1R monoclonal antibody being evaluated as a treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED).

A phase 2 dose-ranging study of the candidate is ongoing and Acelyrin hopes to initiate a phase 3 trial of the drug early next year.