Almirall Collaborates with University of Michigan to Understand HS

Almirall announced a collaboration agreement with the University of Michigan Healthto help quicken the understanding of the triggers behind hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).¹ This partnership will coupleAlmirall’s knowledge in skin diseases in tandem with the University of Michigan’s Department of Dermatology, led by Johann E. Gudjonsson, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology, to investigate relevant aspects of HS such as chronic disease dissection and fibrosis, according to the release. This move is a part of the SHINE initiative launched by Almirall that aims to boost innovation in dermatology by promoting collaborations with centers of excellence.²

“This partnership aims for a deeper understanding of hidradenitis suppurativa, a complex disease with large unmet medical needs,” said Thomas Huber, research director at Almirall, in the press release announcing the collaboration. “An in-depth knowledge of disease drivers will enable novel therapeutic approaches to provide treatment options for patients suffering from this severe condition.”

HS is caused by occlusion of the hair follicle and affects broad areas of the body such as the axillae, inguinal, anogenital, gluteal, and inframammary area, the release explained. The dilated hair follicle then ruptures, spilling its contents into the dermis and causing an inflammatory response, nodules, abscesses, and, in later stages, sinus tract formation, and scarring.

Despite substantial advances in the understanding of the disease in recent years, its pathogenesis is not fully understood, and it is associated with relevant comorbidities that significantly decrease the quality of life of patients.² 

“This collaboration will provide resources that we hope will greatly increase our understanding of the critical disease mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of hidradenitis using state-of-the-art technologies and analytics,” Gudjonsson said.

Reference:

1. Almirall announces collaboration with University of Michigan. Pharmafile. Press Release. Published March 15, 2022. Accessed March 15, 2022. http://www.pharmafile.com/news/611876/almirall-announces-collaboration-university-michigan
2. Zouboulis CC, Desai N, Emtestam L, et al. European S1 guideline for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(4):619-644. doi:10.1111/jdv.12966