Melinda Gooderham, MD, is a dermatologist and the medical director at the SKiN Centre for Dermatology.

Melinda Gooderham, MD

Melinda Gooderham, MD, MSc, medical director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario, discussed 

Alopecia areata remains a chronic, immune-mediated condition with limited systemic treatment options, and ritlecitinib is currently the only therapy approved for adolescent patients, leaving a clear need for additional effective treatments across age groups. Gooderham said this unmet need helped shape the rationale behind evaluating upadacitinib in a broad population that included both adults and adolescents with severe disease.

How Much Hair Regrowth Did Upadacitinib Achieve in Severe Alopecia Areata?

What Was the Design of the UP-AA1 and UP-AA2 Trials?

UP-AA1 and UP-AA2 were 2 replicate, global, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials designed to confirm efficacy findings across independent patient populations. The trials enrolled adolescents and adults ages 12 to younger than 64 years with severe alopecia areata, defined as a Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 50 or greater, reflecting at least 50% scalp hair loss. Patients were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive 15 mg upadacitinib, 30 mg upadacitinib, or placebo once daily.

The primary 24-week double-blinded treatment period, referred to as period A, was followed by a 28-week blinded extension period. The primary end point was achievement of a SALT score of 20 or less, corresponding to at least 80% scalp hair coverage, at Week 24. Secondary end points included eyebrow and eyelash outcome measures, earlier SALT score improvements at weeks 4, 8, and 12, achievement of a SALT score of 10 or less, complete hair regrowth (SALT score of 0), and patient-reported quality of life and global impression of change measures.

What Did the Trial Results Show About Hair Regrowth?

Gooderham explained that patients had a mean baseline SALT score of 84, corresponding to roughly 16% scalp hair coverage. At week 24, the primary end point of SALT score 20 or less was achieved by 45% of patients receiving the 15-mg dose and 55% of patients receiving the 30-mg dose, compared with just 1% to 3% of patients receiving placebo.

She noted that a SALT score of 10 or less, corresponding to 90% scalp coverage, was achieved by approximately one-third of patients on the 15-mg dose and half of patients on the 30-mg dose. Gooderham said this level of regrowth carries meaningful clinical significance, since patients reaching 80% to 90% scalp coverage can typically style their hair, reduce reliance on wigs or head coverings, and no longer have hair loss as the most visible feature to others.

Editor’s note: Gooderham’s has previously reported non-financial support from Takeda in addition to personal fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Meiji, Dermavant, Moonlake, Nektar, Nimbus, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, Tarsus, Takeda, UCB, Union, Ventyx, and Apogee.

Mostaghimi A, Gooderham MJ, Lynde C, et al. Upadacitinib for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents: two phase 3 UP-AA randomized clinical trials. JAMA Dermatol. Published online August 12, 2026. 

Smith T. UP-AA: Upadacitinib Attains Primary Endpoint in New Alopecia Areata Data. HCPLive. August 13, 2026. Accessed August 19, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/up-aa-upadacitinib-attains-primary-endpoint-alopecia-areata-data

Videos

Melinda Gooderham, MD, MSc, discusses new JAMA data on upadacitinib's efficacy for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents.

Sustained PASI Responses Observed Through Week 60 with Zasocitinib, With Melinda Gooderham, MD

New late-breaking phase 3 data presented at the 

2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting

 suggest zasocitinib may help reshape the oral treatment landscape for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with high skin clearance rates known historically to be the domain of biologics.

In an interview at the meeting, Melinda Gooderham, MD, medical director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Ontario, Canada, walked through results from the LATITUDE trial program (NCT06671483). These were a pair of pivotal phase 3 studies assessing zasocitinib against both placebo and an active comparator, apremilast, long considered a standard oral agent.

“We've done really well for our psoriasis patients as far as having options to completely clear their skin,” Gooderham explained. “But in the past, there’s been a bit of a trade off with the oral agents…I see a new phase coming where the oral agents are providing the same level of efficacy and safety as we're seeing with the biologic agents.”

The studies’ co-primary endpoints centered on static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) 0/1, representing having clear or almost clear skin, and PASI 75 response at the 16-week mark. On the sPGA 0/1 measure, approximately 70% of those receiving zasocitinib attained clear or almost clear skin by Week 16. This was compared with roughly 30% in the apremilast arm and 10% in the placebo arm. These strong responses held through Week 24.

The depth of clearance was highlighted by Gooderham as especially compelling. By the 24-week mark, Gooderham et al found two-thirds of zasocitinib-treated individuals achieved PASI 90, and a third had attained complete skin clearance, or PASI 100, by Week 16, maintained through Week 24.

Gooderham and coauthors’ durability data added further weight to the findings. Beyond the 40-week mark, more than 90% of those treated with zasocitinib maintained clear or almost clear skin.

PASI 75 and PASI 90 responses were sustained through Week 60, directly addressing a longstanding question about the staying power of oral medications in the psoriasis management space. Gooderham contextualized these findings within a broader shift she sees underway in the field. 

"We finally will have a pill that can offer the same efficacy as a biologic," Gooderham said. "That will open up all options for our patients."

Gooderham and colleagues’ safety findings on zasocitinib were consistent with the established profile of the drug class, further supporting the treatment’s potential as a viable alternative for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

For additional information on the findings’ significance, view Gooderham’s interview video posted above.

Gooderham’s has previously reported non-financial support from Takeda in addition to personal fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Meiji, Dermavant, Moonlake, Nektar, Nimbus, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, Tarsus, Takeda, UCB, Union, Ventyx, and Apogee.

Gooderham M, et al. Once-daily oral zasocitinib demonstrates rapid and reproducible skin clearance with a consistent safety profile in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from two randomized phase 3 trials (LATITUDE-PsO-3001 and 3002). Presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27-31, 2026; Denver, CO.

Gooderham M. New Topline Phase 3 Data on Zasocitinib in Psoriasis, With Melinda Gooderham, MD. HCPLive. January 10, 2026. Accessed March 29, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/new-topline-phase-3-data-zasocitinib-psoriasis-melinda-gooderham-md

New late-breaking phase 3 data suggest zasocitinib may help reshape the oral treatment landscape for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

An announcement was released on December 18 highlighting Takeda’s new positive 

 from two pivotal phase 3 studies on zasocitinib (TAK-279) in adults with moderate-to-severe 

Zasocitinib, a next-generation, highly selective oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, demonstrated superiority to placebo in the 2 studies’ co-primary endpoints: patients’ static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) 0/1 and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 scores.

 spoke with Melinda Gooderham, MD, dermatologist and medical director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology in Ontario, Canada.

New Topline Phase 3 Data on Zasocitinib in Psoriasis, with Melinda Gooderham, MD

“They're the 2 duplicate, sister studies looking at zasocitinib, which is in highly selective TYK-2 inhibitor, with both placebo and [they’re] active comparator-controlled,” Gooderham explained.

Gooderham described the Latitude studies as 2 randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and active comparator-controlled studies. Both were conducted in 21 countries and involved the recruitment of 693 and 1108 participants, respectively. The studies’ co-primary endpoints were determined to be the proportion of treated patients attaining sPGA 0/1 and PASI 75 response versus placebo at the 16-week mark.

Among the key secondary endpoints, Gooderham highlighted comparisons with placebo at Week 16 and apremilast at Weeks 16 and 24. Overall, she described the studies as having demonstrated the superiority of zasocitinib versus placebo for the co-primary endpoints. There had been a significantly greater number of PASI 75 responses observed as early as the 4-week mark and continuing to rise through to Week 24.

In Takeda’s announcement, all 44 ranked secondary endpoints were described as having been met, including sPGA 0, PASI 90, and PASI 100, against placebo and apremilast.

 The drug was generally well tolerated, and its safety findings were consistent with previous research. Gooderham noted the value of a once-daily oral agent delivering complete skin clearance for individuals living with psoriasis.

“I think what's exciting is that we're seeing these levels of biologic efficacy,” Gooderham said. “In the past has been a bit of a trade-off with our oral therapies being a little less effective than the biologics.”

In Takeda’s release, the most commonly seen adverse events (AEs) through the 24-week mark were noted as upper respiratory tract infection, acne, and nasopharyngitis.

 No new safety signals were identified by the investigators.

As stated in a prior HCPLive release, these data are slated to be presented during upcoming medical congresses. Additionally, Takeda plans to submit a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with other regulatory authorities in 2026.

The quotes contained in this summary were edited for the purposes of clarity.

Gooderham’s has reported nonfinancial support from Takeda in addition to personal fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Arcutis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Incyte, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Meiji, Dermavant, Moonlake, Nektar, Nimbus, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, Tarsus, Takeda, UCB, Union, Ventyx, and Apogee.

Takeda’s Zasocitinib Landmark Phase 3 Plaque Psoriasis Data Show Promise to Deliver Clear Skin in a Once-Daily Pill, Catalyzing a New Era of Treatment. Takeda. December 18, 2025. Accessed January 10, 2026. 

https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2025/takeda-zasocitinib-phase-3-plaque-psoriasis-data-once-daily-pill/

Brooks A. Once-Daily Oral Zasocitinib Delivers Strong Phase 3 Efficacy in Plaque Psoriasis. HCPLive. December 18, 2025. Accessed January 10, 2026. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/once-daily-oral-zasocitinib-delivers-strong-phase-3-efficacy-in-plaque-psoriasis

In her interview, Melinda Gooderham, MD, highlights the impact of recent topline findings on zasocitinib, a once-daily pill for adults with psoriasis.

New Topline Phase 3 Data on Zasocitinib in Psoriasis, With Melinda Gooderham, MD

The Medical Sisterhood—The Global Sisterhood: When She Speaks the World Listens

's The Medical Sisterhood, host Mona Shahriari, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale University School of Medicine and the associate director of clinical trials at Central Connecticut Dermatology Research, welcomed Canadian dermatologist and global thought leader Melinda Gooderham, MD, MSc, the Medical Director of the SKiN Centre for Dermatology, for a candid and inspiring conversation on building a high-impact career in dermatology while navigating the complexities of leadership, motherhood, and self-doubt.

01:09 Early experiences in medical field journey

04:03 Challenges in joining the clinical trial space

08:42 Tips for on-stage charisma during presentations

10:53 Advice on becoming a global speaker

12:48 Ways to balance work travel with free time

17:21 Tips for self-care during travel for work

25:08 Balancing family obligations with travel

Gooderham recounts her journey from a competitive Canadian 

 residency match to founding the first and only dermatology clinic in Peterborough, Ontario. What began as a solo community practice evolved into a clinical research hub after she entered trials to bring innovative therapies—especially biologics—to underserved patients. She reflects on being one of the few women in the early days of clinical research and how mentors empowered her with presentation coaching, trial expertise, and encouragement despite early doubts about her fit in the field.

A core theme of the episode is public speaking and professional presence. Gooderham shares how storytelling, emotional resonance, and patient transformation are key to delivering impactful presentations. She offers tangible tips: rehearse frequently, leverage tools like PowerPoint’s rehearsal coach, and never underestimate the power of audience connection. She and Shahriari discuss the value of feedback, coaching, and continuous learning—reinforcing that even seasoned speakers benefit from support and revision.

The conversation then turns to global visibility and the hidden costs of travel and work-life balance. Gooderham shares honest reflections on mom guilt, logistical challenges, and deciding which opportunities align with her goals in career and in life. Despite glamorous perceptions, she underscores that late nights, missed birthdays, and travel unpredictability are part of the job—and preparation and self-care are essential.

Gooderham also offers advice on building a digital presence, encouraging younger physicians to embrace LinkedIn for visibility while overcoming imposter syndrome and self-promotion hurdles. She closes with a touching reflection on the impact her work has had on her daughters—particularly her youngest, recently selected to a women’s leadership council—underscoring the ripple effect of visible female leadership.

This episode may serve as a reminder that authenticity, passion, and perseverance can pave the way for a fulfilling and transformative career in medicine.

Editor’s note: This episode summary was edited with the help of artificial intelligence tools.

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Melinda Gooderham, MD, MSc, joins The Medical Sisterhood to discuss balancing mentorship, leadership, and family, as well as the empowerment of women in the medical field.

Melinda Gooderham, MD

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