Incyte has announced promising results from its late-stage trials of a new skin disease drug, showing up to 71.4% of patients achieved at least 50% reduction in abscesses and inflamed skin bumps after 54 weeks of treatment.

The experimental drug, povorcitinib, is designed to block JAK1, a protein involved in the inflammation that leads to painful abscesses and nodules. The new data was presented at a medical meeting and has given hope to patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa affects about 1% to 4% of people in the United States, causing painful lumps, abscesses and scarring. The condition is usually found in areas where skin rubs together, such as the armpits or groin.

Currently, treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa are limited and mostly involve injectable drugs like AbbVie’s Humira, Novartis’ Cosentyx and UCB’s Bimzelx. The most frequent side effects of these treatments include acne, nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Incyte is now seeking approval for its new drug through applications to the FDA and the European Medicines Agency. If approved, povorcitinib could provide a new treatment option for patients with this chronic skin disease.