Incyte's New Ingenuity Awards Program Focuses on Empowering the HS Community

Yesterday, Incyte announced a pivotal new initiative aimed at empowering dermatologists and advancing the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).¹ In this latest installment of the company’s Ingenuity Awards, the innovative program is designed to promote research, clinical excellence, and improved patient outcomes within the HS community. Previous programs have focused on vitiligo and graft versus host disease (GVHD).

“At Incyte, we believe the best way to create meaningful change is by listening to the people most impacted. The Incyte Ingenuity Awards in HS is built on the voices of patients and advocates who have shared their experiences and ideas with us. Through this program, we are committed to supporting innovative initiatives designed by the community, for the community, to improve the HS journey,” Matteo Trotta, Executive Vice President and General Manager of US Dermatology at Incyte, said in a statement.¹

The awards aim to support the HS community by funding innovative initiatives that address specific unmet needs for people impacted by HS, including patients, caregivers, and their healthcare providers, through a thoughtful, creative, and original approach, according to the company. For this inaugural year, the theme is “Empowering Patients on Their HS Journey.” Projects will fall under 2 award categories: one up to $35,000 and another up to $100,000.

“Programs like the Incyte Ingenuity Awards are critical for innovations benefitting HS patients and advocates. People with HS face immense physical and emotional challenges every day,” Brindley Brooks, Executive Director at HS Connect, said. “By providing resources to support patient-driven ideas, Incyte is helping amplify the HS community’s voice and drive forward initiatives that can truly make a difference.”¹

Highlighting the voices of patients with HS has been an ongoing commitment for Incyte this year. In September, the company launched HS TRUTHS, an educational initiative designed to shed light on the often-overlooked realities of HS. The campaign highlights the physical, emotional, and social toll of HS through patient-led storytelling, aiming to strengthen communication between people living with HS and their health care providers.²

The judging panel for this year’s Incyte Ingenuity Awards in HS includes several leaders in the field; Steven Daveluy, MD, professor and program director at Wayne State University; Vivian Shi, MD, professor of the department of dermatology at the University of Washington; Athena Gierbolini, HS patient and president/CEO of Hope for HS; PreShus Lee, patient advocate; and Joey Torre, patient advocate.

“HS is more than just a skin condition – it's a life-altering disease that remains widely misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed. What excites me most about Incyte Ingenuity Awards in HS is the chance to uplift ideas that come directly from the community – creating patient-centered solutions that aim to bring lasting changes for those living with HS,” Daveluy commented.¹

Applications are now open and submissions are due by March 31, 2026. Click here to learn more and apply.

References

1. Incyte Partners with the Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Community to Launch the Incyte Ingenuity Awards (IIA) in HS. News release. Incyte. Published November 3, 2025. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://cdn.incyte.com/Assets/IIA-in-HS-2025-Company-Statement_11.3.25.pdf

2. Incyte launches HS TRUTHS to spotlight the true lived experience of hidradenitis suppurativa. News release. Incyte. Published September 3, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250903763414/en/Incyte-Launches-HS-TRUTHS-to-Spotlight-the-True-Lived-Experience-of-Hidradenitis-Suppurativa