Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic devastating skin disorder affecting areas rich in apocrine glands. HS is diagnosed by its clinical features and its chronicity. It is recognized by the presence of recurrent, painful, deep-seated, rounded nodules usually ending in abscesses and sinus tracts with suppuration and hypertrophic scarring. As complement C5a is involved in the underlying acute inflammatory responses, this study is set up based on the hypothesis that IFX-1 might be able to block C5a induced pro-inflammatory effects such as neutrophil activation and cytokine generation, potentially contributing to the local skin inflammation and tissue damage.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether IFX-1 is safe and effective in the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.