Avalo Therapeutics said its IL-1β-targeting antibody abdakibart met the primary endpoint in the Phase 2 Lotus trial in adults with moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The company reported that both abdakibart dosing arms achieved a week-16 HiSCR75 response rate target, and it plans to move into registrational Phase 3 work. The trial enrolled 253 adults and compared abdakibart against placebo. Avalo said the Phase 2 success gives it a path to Phase 3 despite ongoing scrutiny of placebo-adjusted outcomes often seen in HS trials. The update is important for companies in inflammatory dermatology because IL-1β blockade remains an area where differentiated mechanisms can support new standards of care. Investors will watch whether Phase 3 can replicate efficacy with more robust placebo-adjusted performance and durable disease control. The immediate stock reaction described in the report suggests the market is treating the data as a meaningful de-risking event for abdakibart’s development timeline.