For years, HS patients and clinicians have waited for an oral treatment option. Biologics require injections, which can be a barrier for some patients. The STOP-HS Phase 3 trials, which reported results in 2025, show that povorcitinib, a selective oral JAK1 inhibitor, may be the answer many have been waiting for.
What Is Povorcitinib?
Povorcitinib is an investigational oral Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor taken as a once-daily tablet. JAK1 is a key signaling enzyme in the inflammatory pathways that drive HS. By selectively blocking JAK1, povorcitinib interrupts the inflammatory cascade without broadly suppressing the immune system in the way older immunosuppressants do.
The drug is being studied at two doses: 45mg and 75mg daily. As of early 2026, it has not yet received FDA approval but is advancing through the regulatory process based on the Phase 3 data presented at major dermatology conferences including EADV 2025 and Winter Clinical Miami 2026.
What Did the STOP-HS Phase 3 Trials Show?
The STOP-HS1 and STOP-HS2 trials enrolled 1,227 adults with moderate-to-severe HS who had been living with the condition for an average of approximately 10 years. The study population had a high disease burden: a significant proportion were classified as Hurley Stage III, and 35 to 39 percent had previously tried biologic therapies without adequate response.
| Outcome Measure | Povorcitinib 45mg | Povorcitinib 75mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| HiSCR50 at week 24 | ~55% | ~60% | ~28% |
| 100% draining tunnel clearance (week 12) | 12-35% | 12-57% | Low |
| Total abscess clearance (week 12) | 22-45% | 22-62% | Low |
| QoL improvement (MCID) at week 24 | >50% | >50% | ~25% |
| QoL improvement at week 3 | Significant | 22-31% reduction | 1-8% reduction |
Particularly notable is the speed of response: quality of life improvements were measurable as early as week 3, which is faster than most biologic therapies. The 75mg dose showed especially strong results in clearing the most difficult-to-treat lesions, including draining tunnels.
Why an Oral Option Matters
All three currently approved HS biologics are administered by injection. For patients with needle phobia, injection site reactions, or practical barriers to self-injection, an oral daily tablet represents a fundamentally different treatment experience. If approved, povorcitinib would be the first oral prescription therapy specifically approved for HS.
What About Safety?
JAK inhibitors as a class carry a class warning from the FDA regarding increased risk of serious infections, cardiovascular events, blood clots, and malignancy, based on data from other JAK inhibitors used in rheumatoid arthritis. The specific risk profile of povorcitinib in HS is still being characterized. Through 24 weeks in the STOP-HS trials, the safety profile was described as favorable, but longer-term data will be important.
When Might Povorcitinib Be Available?
As of early 2026, the manufacturer is expected to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA based on the STOP-HS data. If approved, povorcitinib could become available in 2026 or 2027. Patients interested in access before approval may be eligible for clinical trials or expanded access programs. Speak with your dermatologist about current options.