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

Melinda Gooderham, MD

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

Videos

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.

Want to join The Medical Sisterhood community? Click here to join our LinkedIn Group!

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.

A group of 9 experts reflect on what they are looking forward to most in 2025 following the AAD annual meeting. 

Expert Perspectives: Dermatology's Top Story to Watch in 2025

Although nearly all medical professionals can point to a “flagship” meeting or annual conference for their specialty, few serve the same role as or measure up to what the 

American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting

A testament to the draw and magnitude of the AAD’s annual showcase, the 2025 annual meeting, which was held in Orlando, Florida, from March 07-11, 2025, had more than 20,000 registered attendees. In addition to being the field’s largest meeting, one of the unique aspects of the AAD annual meeting is its placement on the calendar. While many organizations opt for end of year or mid-year meetings, the AAD annual meeting typically occurs in Q1 and, for many, sets the tone for the remainder of the year.

With this in mind, the editorial team of HCPLive Dermatology included a simple question on the end of our interviews from the meeting with 9 leading subject matter experts in dermatology: “What is going to be the most important storyline to watch for dermatology for the rest of 2025?”

In the above video, we highlight the perspectives of these experts. Below, you can find a brief summary of the backgrounds and expertise of each individual included in this feature video.

, is a professor and vice chair for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Perelman School of Medicine. She also serves as president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

, is chairman at Innovaderm Research. He is also the principal investigator of the ICONIC-LEAD trial, which was presented at AAD 2025.

, is a dermatologist and internal medicine specialist with Riverchase Dermatology.

, is an associate professor of Dermatology for the USC Keck School of Medicine. She is the founding director of the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program and also the president of the Skin of Color Society.

, is the owner of Medical Dermatology Specialists, chief of inpatient dermatology at BannerHealth, and the founder of US Dermatology Partners.

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

, is an associate professor in dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine.

, is the director of the Advanced Acne Therapeutics Clinic at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the co-chair of the American Academy of Dermatology Acne Guidelines Work Group.

, is vice chair of research in dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the Mark Lebwohl Center for Neuroinflammation and Sensation.

Melinda Gooderham, MD

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