Vienna, Austria – The 35th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) annual congress, held in Vienna from September 30th to October 3rd, 2026, marked a pivotal moment in the treatment landscape for immunological diseases. The congress showcased a significant evolution in the therapeutic arsenal for conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis, signaling a decisive shift towards targeted biologics that offer enhanced efficacy, prolonged benefits, and more convenient administration. Industry leaders, leading researchers, and clinicians convened to dissect cutting-edge data and chart the future trajectory of dermatological care.
This year’s EADV congress served as a crucial platform for unveiling groundbreaking clinical trial results from major pharmaceutical players, including Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson (J&J), alongside innovative biotech firms such as Nektar Therapeutics and Evommune. The presented data highlights promising advancements in both the management of eczema and the treatment of psoriasis, with a particular focus on novel molecular targets and sustained therapeutic outcomes.
Nektar Therapeutics’ Rezpeg Demonstrates Remarkable Durability in Eczema Treatment
Vienna, Austria – October 1, 2026 – Nektar Therapeutics presented compelling data from the maintenance phase of its Phase IIb REZOLVE-AD study (NCT06136741) at the EADV congress, highlighting the sustained efficacy of its investigational Treg-selective IL-2 pathway agonist, rezpegaldesleukin (rezpeg), in treating atopic dermatitis (AD). The study involved patients receiving either monthly or quarterly doses of rezpeg for up to 52 weeks, revealing a consistent and significant level of disease control.
Key Findings from the REZOLVE-AD Maintenance Study:
- Sustained Disease Control: Patients treated with rezpeg, irrespective of the monthly or quarterly dosing regimen, experienced sustained control over their eczema. This translates to a significant reduction in the spread and severity of the condition.
- High Rates of Skin Clearance: A substantial proportion of patients achieved meaningful improvements, with 75% and 90% reductions in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score. Furthermore, a notable percentage of patients reported a significant reduction in itch, a debilitating symptom of AD.
- Complete Skin Clearance: In the maintenance arm, 22% of patients receiving monthly rezpeg and 18% on quarterly doses achieved complete skin clearance by week 52. This signifies a profound level of disease remission.
- Favorable Safety Profile: The safety and tolerability of rezpeg remained consistent with previous study findings throughout the maintenance period, offering reassurance for its long-term use.
These positive maintenance outcomes are a significant development for Nektar Therapeutics, bolstering its ongoing Phase III program for rezpeg in AD. The company has also announced plans to initiate a Phase III trial for rezpeg in alopecia areata early in the coming year, underscoring its broad potential across immunological indications.
William Blair analysts have lauded these EADV readouts, stating that they provide "further evidence that rezpeg provides a material durability advantage over current standard-of-care options in AD." However, they also acknowledge a potential concern regarding "high levels of injection site reactions versus placebo," which could "pose an overhang on rezpeg’s target product profile." This nuanced perspective highlights the ongoing balance between efficacy and tolerability in the development of novel therapies.
Pfizer’s Trispecific Antibody Shows High Skin Clearance Rates in Mid-Stage Atopic Dermatitis Trial
Vienna, Austria – October 2, 2026 – Pfizer also captured attention at EADV 2026 with the presentation of promising Phase II data for its novel trispecific antibody, tirekimig. This investigational therapy targets IL-4, IL-13, and TSLP – key inflammatory mediators in AD. The Phase II trial (NCT05995964) evaluated tirekimig in biologic-naïve patients with moderate-to-severe AD.
Tirekimig’s Performance in Phase II Trial:
- Primary Endpoint Achievement: The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating significant improvements in EASI scores. Specifically, patients receiving 400mg, 200mg, and 50mg of tirekimig once every four weeks achieved 49.4%, 51.9%, and 38.7% improvements, respectively, in the percentage of patients achieving a 75% or higher reduction in EASI scores compared to placebo at 16 weeks.
- Competitive Efficacy: Leerink analysts noted that these results "surpass the efficacy of Sanofi and Regeneron’s eczema drug, Dupixent (dupilumab), and other AD therapies in development." This suggests tirekimig could offer a significant competitive advantage.
- Significant Itch Reduction: An exploratory analysis revealed that tirekimig also provided substantial improvements in itch reduction, with treatment-prompted differences ranging from 35.3% to 43.6% across all groups, measured by a four-point or greater reduction on the weekly average peak pruritus numerical rating scale over placebo.
- Improved Tolerability Profile: Importantly, Pfizer’s trispecific antibody was well-tolerated, with a comparatively lower incidence of conjunctivitis and injection site reactions than observed with drugs in the IL-4 receptor alpha inhibitor class.
While Leerink analysts are optimistic about the data, they pointed out the "lack of a clear dose response in the dataset." The critical next step will be the results of a head-to-head trial comparing tirekimig against Dupixent, which is anticipated to reach primary completion in 2028. These findings will be crucial in definitively asserting tirekimig’s ability to outperform current standard-of-care options in the AD market.
Johnson & Johnson’s Psoriasis Pill Demonstrates Two-Year Benefit in Challenging Cases
Vienna, Austria – October 3, 2026 – The EADV congress also served as a stage for Johnson & Johnson to present compelling two-year data for its oral IL-23R inhibitor, Icotyde (icotrokinra), in patients with difficult-to-treat psoriasis. Following its US approval in March, these new findings underscore Icotyde’s potential to offer sustained benefits for a broad spectrum of psoriasis patients aged 12 and above.
Sustained Efficacy and Comprehensive Clearance with Icotyde:
- Durable Skin Clearance: Data presented at the congress revealed that Icotyde demonstrated sustained skin clearance through week 112. At this time point, an impressive 70% of patients achieved clear or almost clear skin.
- Targeted Clearance: The drug showed remarkable efficacy in specific challenging areas:
- 60% of patients experienced full clearance of scalp psoriasis.
- 89% achieved full clearance of genital psoriasis.
- 63% and 62% of patients achieved full clearance of hands and/or feet and nail psoriasis, respectively, at week 112.
- Excellent Tolerability: Icotyde continued to be well-tolerated throughout the study, with no new safety signals identified. This reinforces its favorable safety profile for long-term management.
Jefferies analysts have lauded Icotyde’s performance, stating that it is "continuing to set a high benchmark for oral therapies in psoriasis, due to its durable responses extending to two years, strong complete-clearance rates, and uniquely extensive data in scalp, genital, hand/foot, and nail psoriasis."
With this robust data in hand, J&J is strategically positioned to challenge the established dominance of AbbVie’s injectable therapy, Skyrizi (risankizumab), and Bristol Myers Squibb’s oral drug, Sotyktu (deucravacitinib), in the plaque psoriasis market. Analysts at GlobalData, the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena, forecast that Icotyde will achieve blockbuster status by 2028, with projected sales exceeding $5 billion by 2032, indicating a significant market disruption.
Evommune’s IL-18 Inhibitor Intrigue Analysts with Promising Early Data
Vienna, Austria – October 3, 2026 – In another significant development for the eczema treatment landscape, California-based biotech Evommune shared positive proof-of-concept data from its Phase IIa study of EVO301, a novel, long-acting IL-18 inhibitor, in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The findings, presented as a late-breaking abstract at EADV 2026, have piqued the interest of industry analysts.
EVO301’s Therapeutic Potential:
- Therapeutic Activity at Week 12: EVO301 demonstrated significant therapeutic activity by week 12, with a mean reduction in EASI scores of 55% from baseline compared to 22% in the placebo arm. This efficacy was observed eight weeks after the last dose, suggesting a long-acting profile.
- Early Significant Improvements: Statistically significant improvements in EASI scores were noted as early as week four, indicating a rapid onset of action.
- Deepening Skin Clearance: The skin-clearing efficacy of EVO301 continued to improve past week four, reaching peak levels at week two following two administrations. This highlights the drug’s potential to offer sustained benefits with a low dosing schedule.
- Excellent Tolerability: The drug was well-tolerated, with no serious or severe treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported, and notably, no cases of conjunctivitis.
William Blair analysts have indicated that a comprehensive review of the full study data, along with clearer guidance on the doses progressing to Phase IIb, will "further elucidate the product profile and positioning of EVO301 in the large AD market." Evommune is planning to commence a Phase IIb dose-ranging trial in mid-2027, which will be crucial in defining EVO301’s therapeutic potential and its place in the competitive AD market.
The EADV congress 2026 has unequivocally demonstrated that the field of dermatological immunology is experiencing an unprecedented surge of innovation. The advancements presented in targeted therapies for eczema and psoriasis offer a beacon of hope for millions of patients worldwide, promising more effective, durable, and convenient treatment options that could fundamentally alter the course of these chronic conditions. The ongoing research and development showcased at this congress underscore a future where immunological diseases are not just managed, but potentially brought into sustained remission.
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