EADV 2026 Highlights: Long-Term Psoriasis Advances and New Treatment Targets

What happened at Day 3 of EADV 2026 — and why it matters for people with skin conditions

The third day of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) meeting in Vienna focused on practical research that affects everyday care. Doctors and researchers shared new data on psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), atopic dermatitis (eczema), hair disorders, and how common skin problems can look different on darker skin tones.

Below is a plain-language rundown of the main findings and what they might mean for people living with these conditions. I explain medical terms when needed and flag when results come from company reports or conference presentations rather than long-term, independent studies.

Quick summary

Key developments included:

• Longer-term results for an oral psoriasis drug, showing sustained improvement through two years (reported by the company).
• Head-to-head trial data for a new oral TYK2 inhibitor that showed faster and stronger skin clearance than an already approved oral TYK2 drug (reported at the conference).
• New phase 3 results for an IL-17A blocker in hidradenitis suppurativa that showed deeper responses across patient groups (company-reported).
• Sessions highlighting that atopic dermatitis is a varied disease and may need more personalized treatment choices.
• Talks about how skin conditions can look different on darker skin and how that affects diagnosis.
• Discussion of possible links between certain weight-loss medications (GLP-1 therapies) and hair changes, plus new research into hair follicle biology.

Psoriasis: oral icotrokinra showed lasting benefit through two years

Psoriasis that affects the scalp, genitals, hands, feet or nails can be especially troublesome because it impacts daily function and confidence. New late-breaking phase 3 data reported that once-daily oral icotrokinra produced and maintained strong skin clearance through two years in people with psoriasis in these difficult areas.

In the ICONIC-TOTAL trial the share of people with clear or almost clear skin rose from 57% at week 16 to 67% at week 24, and 70% at week 112. Specific results at two years included 60% complete clearance of scalp psoriasis, 89% complete clearance of genital psoriasis, and 63% complete clearance for psoriasis on hands and feet.

Nail improvements continued over time. The trial reported mean improvement in a nail severity score of 33% at week 16, 62% at week 52, and 71% at week 112. No new safety signals were reported through week 112.

These results come from a company announcement and support the idea that an oral medicine may provide durable control for people whose psoriasis affects high-impact areas. As with any single source, it’s important to view these findings cautiously and discuss treatment choices with a dermatologist. (Source: Johnson & Johnson press release)

Psoriasis: new oral TYK2 drug showed faster, deeper clearing in head-to-head trial

Another oral option discussed was zasocitinib, a selective TYK2 inhibitor. TYK2 is a protein involved in immune signaling that can drive psoriasis inflammation. In a head-to-head phase 3 trial presented at the conference, zasocitinib 30 mg once daily produced higher rates of total or near-total skin clearance at week 16 compared with deucravacitinib 6 mg, an already approved oral TYK2 inhibitor.

The trial reported better outcomes on measures such as PASI 100 (complete skin clearance) and PASI 90 (near-complete clearance). The difference in complete clearance appeared as early as week 8. Additional phase 3 analyses showed that many people who responded by week 24 kept that response during longer follow-up, with up to 93% of responders maintaining clearance.

People in the trials also reported quick improvements in itch and quality of life. These results were presented at EADV and add to evidence that selective TYK2 inhibitors can be an effective oral treatment approach for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. As always, patients should talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of any medication. (Source: LATITUDE trial presentations)

Hidradenitis suppurativa: izokibep produced deeper responses in phase 3 trials

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes painful bumps and tunnels under the skin, often in the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. New phase 3 data examined izokibep, a drug that targets IL-17A, a protein involved in inflammation.

Compared with placebo, significantly more people on izokibep reached stricter levels of improvement at week 12. The trial used the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4) and reported:

• IHS4-75 (75% improvement) in 32.8% on izokibep versus 18.6% on placebo
• IHS4-90 in 23.6% versus 8.1%
• IHS4-100 (complete clinical response) in 17.5% versus 6.4%

Responses were maintained through week 32 for those initially assigned to izokibep. People who started on placebo and later switched to the active drug also improved after starting treatment. These results highlight a move toward measuring deeper levels of disease control in HS, not just whether a single response threshold is reached. The findings were announced by the company and presented at the conference. (Source: Affibody press release)

Atopic dermatitis: the condition is more varied than many realize

Atopic dermatitis (commonly called eczema) was a major topic at the meeting. Sessions noted that while “type 2” immune activity often plays a big role in eczema, the condition is not the same for everyone.

Researchers discussed how age of onset, ethnicity, blood IgE levels (a marker often associated with allergies), and other factors can change the disease’s immune profile and how it looks on the skin. For example, eczema that starts later in life may have different features and immune signals than eczema that started in childhood.

Understanding these different “endotypes” may help doctors choose more personalized treatments as more targeted options become available. Pediatric-focused sessions also covered systemic treatment of rare, congenital eczematous diseases that can mimic or include eczema-like skin changes. (Source: EADV scientific programme)

Diagnosing skin conditions in people with darker skin tones

A recurring theme was the need to recognize how common skin problems can appear differently on darker skin tones. Presentations covered conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acne.

For example, eczema in people with darker skin may present more often as follicular (involving hair follicles), papular (small bumps), lichenified (thickened skin), or prurigo-like (itchy, nodular) lesions. Relying only on redness can lead to missed or delayed diagnoses because redness may not be as obvious on darker skin.

The take-home message is that clinicians should look beyond redness and pay attention to texture, bumps, and color changes when evaluating skin of color. This approach can reduce diagnostic delays and improve care. (Source: EADV scientific programme)

Hair loss and GLP‑1 therapies: what dermatologists are watching

Sessions also explored hair disorders and how newer systemic medicines might affect hair. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly called GLP-1 therapies, are widely used today for diabetes and weight management. Dermatologists are seeing more patients asking whether these drugs could be linked to hair changes.

Conference talks reviewed what is known so far and emphasized that evidence is still evolving. Researchers also shared early-stage work on controlling hair follicles through microRNA pathways and other mechanisms, which may point to future treatment directions beyond current options.

As medicines used for non-skin problems become more common, dermatologists are increasingly involved in recognizing and managing possible effects on skin, hair, and nails. Patients should discuss any new symptoms with both their prescribing doctor and a dermatologist. (Source: EADV scientific programme)

What this all means

Day 3 at EADV highlighted a clear trend toward more targeted and durable treatments, plus a push for more individualized care. Trials reported longer-term psoriasis control for an oral drug, head-to-head evidence for a new TYK2 inhibitor, deeper response measures in HS, and a growing focus on how eczema and other conditions vary across ages and skin tones.

Many of the results were presented at the conference or reported by companies. That means the data are important to watch, but they should be interpreted carefully until independent, longer-term studies confirm how these treatments perform in broad real-world settings.

When to see a doctor

See a dermatologist or your primary care provider if you have:

• Skin changes that are painful, rapidly worsening, bleeding, or show signs of infection (pus, increasing redness, warmth).
• Persistent or spreading rashes that interfere with sleep, work, or daily life.
• New or unexplained hair loss, especially if it’s sudden or patchy.
• Any uncertainty about diagnosis or treatment options for chronic skin conditions.

Treatment choices can be complex. If you’re considering a prescription medicine or have questions about side effects, bring your concerns to a doctor so you can weigh the benefits and risks together.

Keeping track of visible changes

If you have a changing rash, a mole, slow-healing sore, or new hair shedding, it can help to take photos over time. This simple tracking can make it easier to spot worsening signs and to show your clinician what’s changed since your last visit.

Disclaimer

This article summarizes research presented at the EADV Congress and company announcements. It is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with your healthcare provider. If you have serious symptoms or sudden changes in your skin, seek medical care promptly.

Sources

1. Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson announces new ICOTYDE (icotrokinra) data in difficult-to-treat plaque psoriasis with proven durability through 2 years, affirming its use as a powerful first-line systemic therapy. (Company press release)
2. Stein Gold L., Reich A., Toth D., et al. Zasocitinib, a highly selective, once-daily oral TYK2 inhibitor, demonstrates superior skin clearance (PASI 100) versus an approved oral TYK2 inhibitor, deucravacitinib, and a consistent safety profile in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: Results from a randomized phase 3 intraclass head-to-head trial (LATITUDE Atlas). Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress; September 30–October 3, 2026; Vienna, Austria.
3. W., Stein Gold L., Bunick C. Zasocitinib, a highly selective, once-daily oral TYK2 inhibitor, demonstrates durable efficacy for up to 60 weeks in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: Results from two randomized phase 3 trials (LATITUDE-PsO-3001 and 3002). Presented at EADV 2026.
4. Affibody. Affibody announces new izokibep data at EADV 2026 demonstrating efficacy across patient subgroups and stringent clinical endpoints. (Company press release)
5. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. EADV Congress 2026 scientific programme. (EADV scientific programme)
6. Enveda. Enveda announces late-breaker oral presentation of new mechanistic and biomarker data from the phase 1b trial of ENV-294, a potential first-in-class oral therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. (Company announcement)