The dermatology landscape is experiencing a paradigm shift in which manufacturers are developing targeted and effective therapies to meet significant unmet needs in a range of therapeutic areas, from psoriasis and atopic dermatitis to hidradenitis suppurativa, alopecia areata, and vitiligo.

This revolution in treatment and care was sparked in 2003 and 2004 by the approval of three biologic agents—alefacept, efalizumab, and etanercept—for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Since then, major investment across dermatology pipelines has stimulated the development of numerous targeted and highly effective therapies for psoriasis, including, most recently, the approval of the first and only tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor. A similar therapeutic revolution is currently unfolding in atopic dermatitis, in which monoclonal antibodies, as well as the development of other novel Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, have greatly expanded treatment options.

Now, manufacturers are turning their attention to addressing unmet needs in other dermatologic diseases, with recent approvals and multiple Phase 2 and 3 trials underway for several therapies for hidradenitis suppurativa, alopecia areata, and vitiligo.

FIDE, one of Avalere Health’s Expert Partnerships, leverages its expertise in the treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases to provide unrivaled clinical insight to the biopharmaceutical industry. The faculty comprises an independent network of internationally renowned clinical investigators and clinicians who provide diverse perspectives on the latest advances in these conditions based on their experience as trialists and working in academia and community-based practices.

We spoke to members of FIDE about the latest developments and insights in hidradenitis suppurativa, alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. They draw from their experience at FIDE’s conference analysis programs at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2022 and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 2023 congresses. In this article, they highlight the promising new therapies being evaluated in Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, explore the merits and flaws of the data, and identify some important issues that may influence patient care.