New Hope for HS Sufferers as Quebec Recommends Advanced Treatment

OAKVILLE, ON – March 26, 2026 – Patients in Quebec living with the chronic and painful inflammatory skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been given a significant reason for optimism. The province's health technology assessment body, the Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS), has issued a positive recommendation for the reimbursement of PrBIMZELX® (bimekizumab injection).

The recommendation is for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe HS who have not responded adequately to conventional therapies. This decision marks a crucial step toward making the innovative biologic treatment publicly accessible, addressing a long-standing unmet need for a patient population that has endured limited options. The final decision for public funding now rests on successful price negotiations between the manufacturer, UCB Canada Inc., and the Quebec government.

A Debilitating Disease Sees a Glimmer of Hope

Hidradenitis suppurativa is far more than a simple skin condition. It is a severe, recurring, and debilitating disease characterized by painful, deep-seated nodules and abscesses that form in areas like the armpits, groin, and buttocks. These can lead to the formation of draining tunnels under the skin, persistent pain, and significant scarring.

The impact on a person's life is profound. Research shows that patients often face a grueling diagnostic odyssey, with delays averaging up to a decade and multiple misdiagnoses along the way. The physical pain is often constant, with nearly half of patients reporting it is poorly controlled. Beyond the physical symptoms, HS exacts a heavy psychological and social toll, affecting patients' ability to work, their social interactions, and their mental health.

For years, patients and clinicians have voiced the urgent need for new, effective, and well-tolerated treatments. The INESSS recommendation is being hailed as a major breakthrough by the medical community and patient advocates.

"A new milestone has been reached for Quebec patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. For a long time, patients and their families have lived with the impact of this painful disease, for which treatment options are limited," noted Dr. Hélène Veillette, Dermatologist at CHU de Québec-Université Laval and President of the Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation. "The recent INESSS recommendation on bimekizumab brings real hope to patients and caregivers. Access to new treatment options allows patients whose disease is not well controlled by conventional systemic treatments (such as antibiotics) to consider a return to a more normal life."

This sentiment is echoed by those who support patients on the front lines. "Having multiple medication options to manage hidradenitis suppurativa opens up the opportunity to improve quality of life not only physically but mentally and emotionally," said Latoya Palmer, Founder of the Hidradenitis & Me Support Group. "Multiple people can have HS but not everyone has the same treatment regimen, what might work for one may not work for others. Therefore, having this biologic as another treatment option provides another chance to enjoy life again."

The Science Behind Bimekizumab's Promise

The positive recommendation from INESSS was based on a thorough review of bimekizumab's therapeutic value, including compelling clinical trial data. Bimekizumab is a monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism of action: it is the first and only approved treatment designed to selectively inhibit two key cytokines, Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Interleukin-17F (IL-17F), which are major drivers of the inflammatory process in HS.

The drug's efficacy and safety were demonstrated in the pivotal Phase 3 BE HEARD I and II clinical trials, which enrolled over 1,000 patients globally. The results from these studies, and their long-term extensions, have been impressive. Data extending up to three years shows that treatment with bimekizumab leads to sustained reductions in inflammatory lesions and draining tunnels, as well as clinically meaningful relief from skin pain.

Notably, after two years of treatment, more than half of patients (53.1%) saw their disease severity reduced to "mild," a remarkable shift from none at the start of the trial. The treatment also proved effective at preventing disease flares, with over 83% of patients remaining flare-free at the two-year mark. This sustained control translates directly to a better quality of life, with many patients reporting that HS no longer had an impact on their daily lives.

Navigating the Path to Patient Access

While the INESSS recommendation is a cause for celebration, it is not the final step. The recommendation comes with the crucial condition that "economic requirements being met." This means UCB Canada must now enter into pricing negotiations with the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.

This step is a standard part of the Canadian drug reimbursement process for expensive, innovative medicines. The government and the manufacturer must agree on a price that the provincial drug plan deems affordable and provides value for the healthcare system. The timeline for these negotiations can vary, but a positive INESSS recommendation provides strong momentum. Once a pricing agreement is reached, bimekizumab can be officially added to Quebec's public drug formulary, making it accessible to eligible patients with a prescription.

A Shifting Treatment Landscape

The potential arrival of bimekizumab on Quebec's public formulary marks another significant evolution in the treatment landscape for HS. For many years, the only biologic option was adalimumab (Humira), a TNF-alpha inhibitor. More recently, secukinumab (Cosentyx), which targets IL-17A, was approved, offering another targeted therapy.

Bimekizumab's dual inhibition of both IL-17A and IL-17F sets it apart and positions it as a powerful new contender. Analysts and dermatologists anticipate that its strong clinical performance, particularly in patients with a high disease burden, could lead to a significant shift in prescribing habits. The growing number of effective, targeted therapies is transforming the management of HS from a state of frustration with limited options to one of personalized medicine, where treatments can be tailored to individual patient needs.

This development in Quebec is part of a broader global trend, with bimekizumab also gaining approvals in Europe and undergoing review in the United States for HS. For the estimated one percent of the population affected by this painful condition, the expansion of the therapeutic arsenal represents a fundamental change, offering not just a new medication, but a renewed sense of hope for a life less defined by disease.