New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful lumps and abscesses in areas where skin rubs together—armpits, groin, under the breasts. It affects roughly 1 in 100 people and often starts after puberty. Current treatments include antibiotics, biologics like adalimumab, and surgery for severe scarring.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing new biologics targeting different immune pathways, JAK inhibitors that calm inflammation, complement inhibitors, and combination approaches pairing biologics with antibiotics or laser therapy. Researchers are also studying the bacteria living in HS lesions and whether targeting them directly might prevent flares.

What to know before you search

Eligibility usually depends on disease severity (Hurley stage), number of active nodules and abscesses, body areas affected, and whether you've tried antibiotics or biologics before.

What types of trials are currently open

• Biologic trials — Testing new antibody drugs that target specific immune proteins driving HS inflammation. These may offer options for people who don't respond to adalimumab.
• JAK inhibitor trials — Testing pills that block inflammation pathways. These may work for moderate to severe HS and could be combined with other treatments.
• Combination trials — Testing biologics paired with antibiotics, laser therapy, or other approaches to see if attacking HS from multiple angles works better than single treatments.
• Surgical trials — Comparing surgical techniques and studying when surgery plus medication works better than medication alone for severe disease.
• Natural history studies — Following people with HS over time to understand how the disease progresses, what triggers flares, and what predicts treatment response.