Bimekizumab Shows Durable Responses in Psoriasis and HS Through 3 Years

Long-term data for bimekizumab (Bimzelx; UCB) continue to show sustained efficacy in both psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), with no new safety signals emerging through 3 years of follow-up, according to Steven Daveluy, MD, board-certified dermatologist and program director at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.^1,2

Speaking at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Daveluy highlighted findings from extended clinical trial data in both indications.

Psoriasis Findings

In psoriasis, approximately 62% and 64% of patients in the BE RADIANT and BE VIVID trials, respectively, achieved National Psoriasis Foundation-defined on-treatment remission during the first year of treatment. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 and PASI 100 response rates held between 60% and 70% at 3 years.¹

Daveluy acknowledged the limitations inherent to long-term trial data. "There is a little bit of dropout that you see — people can’t stay in a study for a long time for different reasons," Daveluy said, adding that patients who remain in a study at 3 years have already demonstrated response. "Usually, if it's not working, people are going to drop out after 1 year, not after 3 years. But that is always something to think about with these long-term studies."

HS Findings

For HS, Daveluy's primary clinical focus, the longer-term data reinforced what many clinicians have observed in practice: that response to bimekizumab deepens over time. Overall, 86% of patients remained flare-free at the 3-year mark. Daveluy noted that flare was defined by clinical trial criteria, an increase relative to baseline, but said the finding still carries real-world relevance.²

"Bimekizumab does work well for HS, and it seems to work better with time," Daveluy said. "We always do our primary outcomes at week 12 or 16, but we know that’s not how long it takes HS to get better."

He noted that the durability of response is particularly meaningful in HS, where some other therapies have shown diminishing efficacy. "When bimekizumab works for a patient, it’s going to continue working for them," he said. "Some other medications we’ve seen sort of lose response with time, and we aren’t sure if it's due to antibody development that’s neutralizing them. So this is really reassuring."

Safety

No new safety signals were identified through 3 years. Daveluy called long-term safety data "very valuable and very important," noting that the consistency of the profile over time is meaningful given past experiences with other agents.

HS Advocacy

Daveluy also recognized the HS Foundation, noting its resources for clinicians, including prior authorization template letters and research updates, available at hs-foundation.org.

“I just rolled off being my term on the board of directors for the HS Foundation, and it was wonderful…It’s a wonderful organization that’s really advancing understanding, research, and knowledge about HS to bring our patients better outcomes,” Daveluy said.

References

1. UCB presents new BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) data at AAD demonstrating high rates of durable and complete skin clearance in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. News release. UCB. March 27, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.ucb.com/newsroom/press-releases/article/ucb-presents-new-bimzelxr-bimekizumab-bkzx-data-at-aad-demonstrating-high-rates-of-durable-and-complete-skin-clearance-in-moderate-to-severe-plaque-psoriasis
2. UCB announces new BIMZELX (bimekizumab-bkzx) data at AAD showing durable symptom control throughout three years in hidradenitis suppurativa. News release. UCB. March 27, 2026. Accessed April 2, 2026. https://www.ucb.com/newsroom/press-releases/article/ucb-announces-new-bimzelxr-bimekizumab-bkzx-data-at-aad-showing-durable-symptom-control-throughout-three-years-in-hidradenitis-suppurativa