The purpose of this study was to demonstrate superiority of secukinumab at Week 16, based on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) rates versus placebo, along with the maintenance of efficacy of secukinumab at Week 52 in subjects with moderate to severe HS. Moreover, this study also assessed the safety and tolerability of secukinumab.

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study with two secukinumab dose regimens in 541 patients with moderate to severe HS. The study consisted of: screening (up to 4 weeks) treatment period 1 (16 weeks, active drug or placebo) and treatment period 2 (up to 1 year all patients on active drug); there was an optional extension study (NCT04179175). Adult males and females with moderate to severe HS were included, with a diagnosis of HS greater than 1 year prior to baseline. Dosing was once every 2 weeks, or once every 4 weeks via pre-filled syringe; periodic home-dosing is included.

In Treatment Period 1, participants were randomized to secukinumab Q2W, secukinumab Q4W, placebo Q2W or placebo Q4W in 1:1:0.5:0.5 ratio. In Treatment Period 2, at the Week 16 visit participants initially randomized to placebo were switched to one of the two active dose regimens (secukinumab Q2W or Q4W), while subjects randomized to secukinumab during Treatment Period 1 continued on the same dose.

At the Week 16 visit, subjects initially randomized to placebo were switched to one of the two active dose regimens (secukinumab Q2W or Q4W), while subjects randomized to secukinumab during Treatment Period 1 continued on the same dose.

The primary objective was to demonstrate the efficacy of secukinumab compared to placebo with respect to HISCR after 16 weeks of treatment; secondary objectives were to assess difference in proportion of patients with HS flares, and proportion of patients with clinical response in HS related skin pain after 16 weeks of treatment. Key safety data was collected, along with Patient Reported Outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent must be obtained before any assessment is performed.
• Male and female patients ≥ 18 years of age.
• Diagnosis of HS ≥ 1 year prior to baseline.
• Patients with moderate to severe HS defined as:
• A total of at least 5 inflammatory lesions, i.e. abscesses and/or inflammatory nodules AND
• Inflammatory lesions should affect at least 2 distinct anatomic areas
• Patients agree to daily use of topical over-the-counter antiseptics on the areas affected by HS lesions while on study treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Total fistulae count ≥ 20 at baseline.
• Any other active skin disease or condition that may interfere with assessment of HS.
• Active ongoing inflammatory diseases other than HS that require treatment with prohibited medications.
• Use or planned use of prohibited treatment. Washout periods detailed in the protocol have to be adhered to.
• History of hypersensitivity to any of the study drug constituents.
• History of lymphoproliferative disease or any known malignancy or history of malignancy of any organ system treated or untreated within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases (except for skin Bowen's disease, or basal cell carcinoma or actinic keratoses that have been treated with no evidence of recurrence in the past 12 weeks; carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-invasive malignant colon polyps that have been removed).
• Pregnant or lactating women.

Novartis is committed to sharing with qualified external researchers, access to patient-level data and supporting clinical documents from eligible studies. These requests are reviewed and approved by an independent review panel on the basis of scientific merit. All data provided is anonymized to respect the privacy of patients who have participated in the trial in line with applicable laws and regulations.

This trial data availability is according to the criteria and process described on www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com