UCB's HS Summit United Patients and Experts to Drive Progress in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness and Treatment

Rhea-AI Summary

UCB (OTC:UCBJY) hosted its 2025 Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Summit on August 1-2, bringing together over 100 participants including patients, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups at its Atlanta campus. The summit focused on patient storytelling, wellness, nutrition, and care advocacy for the HS community.

The event highlighted BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx), UCB's treatment for moderate-to-severe HS, which demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials with approximately 50% of patients seeing a 50% reduction in inflamed nodules and abscesses at 16 weeks, compared to 30% in the placebo group. BIMZELX is notably the first approved treatment specifically targeting both IL-17A and IL-17F cytokines for HS patients.

Positive

• Clinical trials showed BIMZELX achieved 50% reduction in symptoms for about half of patients
• BIMZELX is the first and only approved treatment specifically targeting both IL-17A and IL-17F for HS
• BIMZELX has secured approval for five indications in the U.S., including HS

Negative

• None.

• Building on the success of its inaugural event, the 2025 UCB HS Summit focused on amplifying the patient voice and tackling critical unmet needs in the HS community.
  
  
• The event brought together over 100 people from across the HS community on the UCB Atlanta campus and featured interactive discussions and educational workshops focused on storytelling, wellness, nutrition, and advocating for care.
  
  
• Summit sessions also focused on expanding and optimizing earlier treatment of individuals living with moderate-to-severe HS.
  
  
• BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx) can deliver transformative relief of moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) symptoms, and patients can start to get themselves back.¹ In two clinical studies of adult patients with moderate-to-severe HS, around 5 in 10 people saw a 50% reduction in the number of inflamed nodules and abscesses, with no increase in abscesses or tunnels at 16 weeks, vs. around 3 in 10 taking placebo.¹

ATLANTA, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, hosted its 2025 Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Summit, which aimed to create a community forum for open discussion about HS, a dermatologic disease that remains both underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed.^2-3 By bringing stakeholders together, UCB sought to foster a deeper understanding of HS and address the challenges associated with it.

The UCB HS Summit took place August 1-2, 2025, at UCB's Atlanta campus. The event featured discussions led by dermatologists, advanced practice providers, HS advocacy groups, and patients, sharing personal stories and providing continued education to advance understanding of HS. Key takeaways emphasized the power of patient storytelling in conveying the authentic, day-to-day experiences of living with HS. Participants recognized that while each individual's journey is unique and involves distinct challenges, the community stands united in its commitment to driving meaningful change.

"The ongoing unmet needs in patient communities like those affected by HS drive our commitment to scientific innovation," said Camille Lee, Head of U.S. Immunology, UCB. "Building on the success of UCB's HS Summit last year, we are proud to host the UCB HS Summit, bringing together patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers during a period of promising treatment options, including BIMZELX^®. Despite these positive developments, we recognize the ongoing challenges the community faces, such as the need for more timely diagnoses, earlier treatment, and ongoing education."

The Summit kicked off with a fireside chat exploring the evolution of the HS landscape in recent years and highlighting the importance of partnership with the HS community to advance care. A joint session between clinicians and patients followed, fostering meaningful discussions around treatment and unmet needs, navigating the healthcare system, and collaborative ways to best support patients.   

HS is a chronic, painful, and potentially debilitating inflammatory skin disease that is associated with systemic manifestations.^2-3 Common symptoms include inflamed nodules that look like boils and abscesses.² These can occur anywhere hair follicles are found, but usually develop in areas where skin rubs together, like armpits, the groin area, and the inner thighs.³ HS lesions tend to heal slowly and come back often, leading to tunnels under the skin and scarring.^2,4

BIMZELX is the first and only approved treatment for adults with moderate-to-severe HS specifically designed to target interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines that drive the inflammatory process.¹ BIMZELX is approved in the U.S. in five indications, including HS.¹

UCB is proud to contribute to advancing the understanding of HS, addressing the unmet needs of those living with the disease, and raising standards of care across a range of IL-17 mediated diseases. To learn more about UCB's commitment to patients impacted by dermatologic diseases, visit UCB-USA.com/innovation/dermatology.

About Hidradenitis Suppurativa 
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful, and potentially debilitating inflammatory skin disease that is associated with systemic manifestations.^2-3 The main symptoms are nodules, abscesses, and pus-discharging draining tunnels (or sinus tracts leading out of the skin) that typically occur in the armpits, groin, and buttocks, but can occur anywhere on the body there are hair follicles. ^2-3 People with HS experience flare-ups of the disease as well as severe pain, which can have a major impact on quality of life.^2-3 HS develops in early adulthood and affects approximately one percent of the population in most studied countries.^2-3

About BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx)
BIMZELX is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that is designed to selectively inhibit both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammatory processes.¹ IL-17A and IL-17F are key contributors of chronic inflammation and damage across multiple tissues, with IL-17F increasing over time. ^1,5-7 IL-17F is over-expressed in skin and highly elevated in the serum of patients with psoriasis (PSO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).^1,5-8  

The approved indications for BIMZELX in the U.S. are:¹

• Plaque psoriasis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy
• Psoriatic arthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis
• Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation
• Ankylosing spondylitis: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis
• Hidradenitis suppurativa: BIMZELX is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa

BIMZELX U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

Suicidal Ideation and Behavior 
BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (SI/B). A causal association between treatment with BIMZELX and increased risk of SI/B has not been definitively established. Prescribers should weigh the potential risks and benefits before using BIMZELX in patients with a history of severe depression or SI/B. Advise monitoring for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal ideation, or other mood changes. If such changes occur, instruct to promptly seek medical attention, refer to a mental health professional as appropriate, and re-evaluate the risks and benefits of continuing treatment.

Infections 
BIMZELX may increase the risk of infections, including serious infections. Do not initiate treatment with BIMZELX in patients with any clinically important active infection until the infection resolves or is adequately treated. In patients with a chronic infection or a history of recurrent infection, consider the risks and benefits prior to prescribing BIMZELX. Instruct patients to seek medical advice if signs or symptoms suggestive of clinically important infection occur. If a patient develops such an infection or is not responding to standard therapy, monitor the patient closely and do not administer BIMZELX until the infection resolves. 

Tuberculosis 
Evaluate patients for tuberculosis (TB) infection prior to initiating treatment with BIMZELX. Avoid the use of BIMZELX in patients with active TB infection. Initiate treatment of latent TB prior to administering BIMZELX. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of BIMZELX in patients with a past history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed. Closely monitor patients for signs and symptoms of active TB during and after treatment. 

Liver Biochemical Abnormalities 
Elevated serum transaminases were reported in clinical trials with BIMZELX. Test liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin at baseline, periodically during treatment with BIMZELX, and according to routine patient management. If treatment-related increases in liver enzymes occur and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt BIMZELX until a diagnosis of liver injury is excluded. Permanently discontinue use of BIMZELX in patients with causally associated combined elevations of transaminases and bilirubin. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with acute liver disease or cirrhosis. 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease 
Cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been reported in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors, including BIMZELX. Avoid use of BIMZELX in patients with active IBD. During BIMZELX treatment, monitor patients for signs and symptoms of IBD and discontinue treatment if new onset or worsening of signs and symptoms occurs.   

Immunizations 
Prior to initiating therapy with BIMZELX, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines. Avoid the use of live vaccines in patients treated with BIMZELX.   

Most Common Adverse Reactions                                                                        
Most common (≥ 1%) adverse reactions in plaque psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, injection site reactions, tinea infections, gastroenteritis, herpes simplex infections, acne, folliculitis, other candida infections, and fatigue. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, cough, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, tonsillitis, transaminase increase, and urinary tract infections. 

Most common (≥ 2%) adverse reactions in ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections, oral candidiasis, headache, diarrhea, injection site pain, rash, and vulvovaginal mycotic infection. 

Please see Important Safety Information below and full U.S. Prescribing Information at www.UCB-USA.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX. 

For further information, contact UCB:

U.S. Communications
Nicole Herga
T +1.773.960.5349
email Nicole.Herga@ucb.com

About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With approximately 9,000 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €6.1 billion in 2024. Follow us on Twitter: @UCBUSA.

Forward looking statements
This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "potential", "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "plans", "seeks", "estimates", "may", "will", "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, arbitration, political, regulatory or clinical results or practices and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which might cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of UCB, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this document.

Important factors that could result in such differences include but are not limited to: global spread and impacts of wars, pandemics and terrorism, the general geopolitical environment, climate change, changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms or within expected timing, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues, supply chain disruption and business continuity risks; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of UCB's information technology systems, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, competition from other products including biosimilars or disruptive technologies/business models, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in laws and/or rules pertaining to tax and duties or the administration of such laws and/or rules, and hiring, retention and compliance of employees. There is no guarantee that new product candidates will be discovered or identified in the pipeline, or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Movement from concept to commercial product is uncertain; preclinical results do not guarantee safety and efficacy of product candidates in humans. So far, the complexity of the human body cannot be reproduced in computer models, cell culture systems or animal models. The length of the timing to complete clinical trials and to get regulatory approval for product marketing has varied in the past and UCB expects similar unpredictability going forward. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to disputes between the partners or may prove to be not as safe, effective or commercially successful as UCB may have believed at the start of such partnership. UCB's efforts to acquire other products or companies and to integrate the operations of such acquired companies may not be as successful as UCB may have believed at the moment of acquisition. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products and/or devices after they are marketed. The discovery of significant problems with a product similar to one of UCB's products that implicate an entire class of products may have a material adverse effect on sales of the entire class of affected products. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment, including pricing pressure, political and public scrutiny, customer and prescriber patterns or practices, and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement activities and outcomes. Finally, a breakdown, cyberattack or information security breach could compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UCB's data and systems.

Given these uncertainties, the public is cautioned not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this document, and do not reflect any potential impacts from the evolving event or risk as mentioned above as well as any other adversity, unless indicated otherwise. The company continues to follow the development diligently to assess the financial significance of these events, as the case may be, to UCB.
UCB expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this document, either to confirm the actual results or to report or reflect any change in its forward-looking statements with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, unless such statement is required pursuant to applicable laws and regulations. 

References 

1. BIMZELX^® (bimekizumab-bkzx) U.S. Prescribing Information. https://www.ucb-usa.com/Innovation/Products/BIMZELX. Accessed: August 2025.  
2. Jemec GBE. Clinical practice. Hidradenitis suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(2):158–64. 
3. Sabat R, Jemec GBE, Matusiak L, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(1):18. 
4. Ingram JR. The epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2020;183(6):990-98. doi:10.1111/bjd.19435. Epub 2020 Sep 3. PMID: 32880911. 
5. Glatt S, Baeten D, Baker T et al. Dual IL-17A and IL-17F neutralisation by bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: evidence from preclinical experiments and a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial that IL-17F contributes to human chronic tissue inflammation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018;77:523–32.
6. Gordon KB, Foley P, Krueger JG, et al. Bimekizumab efficacy and safety in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE READY): a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised withdrawal phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):475-486.
7. Reich K, Papp KA, Blauvelt A, et al. Bimekizumab versus ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (BE VIVID): efficacy and safety from a 52-week, multicentre, double-blind, active comparator and placebo controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10273):487-498.
8. Rumberger BE, Boarder EL, Owens SL, et al. Transcriptomic analysis of hidradenitis suppurativa skin suggests roles for multiple inflammatory pathways in disease pathogenesis. Inflamm Res. 2020;69(10):967-973.

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FAQ

What were the key results of BIMZELX in UCB's HS clinical trials?

In clinical trials, approximately 50% of patients treated with BIMZELX saw a 50% reduction in inflamed nodules and abscesses at 16 weeks, compared to about 30% in the placebo group, with no increase in abscesses or tunnels.

What makes BIMZELX unique in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

BIMZELX is the first and only approved treatment for HS that specifically targets both interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interleukin 17F (IL-17F), two key cytokines driving inflammation.

What was the focus of UCB's 2025 HS Summit?

The summit focused on patient storytelling, wellness, nutrition, and care advocacy, bringing together over 100 participants including patients, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups to address challenges in HS treatment and awareness.

How many indications has BIMZELX been approved for in the US?

BIMZELX has been approved for five indications in the United States, including Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).

What are the main symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)?

HS is characterized by chronic, painful inflammatory skin lesions including inflamed nodules, boils, and abscesses that typically develop in areas where skin rubs together, such as armpits, groin area, and inner thighs.