Neal Bhatia, MD

What’s Next in Dermatology? Dermatologists Weigh In On 2026

 are looking ahead to a year defined by expanding oral therapeutics, immunologic insights, next-generation biologics, and the increasing artificial intelligence (AI) integration into clinical settings. At the 

 team spoke on-site with several leaders in the field of skin health about new data and therapeutic advances they anticipate shaping the field in the year ahead.

Featured leaders included Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of dermatology clinical research at Henry Ford Health System; Lawrence Eichenfield, MD, chief of pediatric and adolescent dermatology at Rady Children’s Hospital and professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the University of California (UC), San Diego School of Medicine; Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research in San Diego; Dawn Eichenfield, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego; Philip J. Mease, MD, director of rheumatology research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and clinical professor at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine; Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, George F. Odland Endowed Chair in Dermatology at the UW School of Medicine; and Walter J. Liszewski, MD, dermatologist and clinical educator specializing in complex medical dermatology.

Stein Gold noted 2026 may mark “the year of the oral psoriasis therapy,” highlighting anticipation surrounding the potential approval of the oral interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor icotrokinra and continued development of next-generation TYK2 inhibitors. She pointed to the expansion of oral options as potentially providing patients with efficacy comparable to biologics without compromising safety or tolerability, broadening flexibility in systemic psoriasis.

Lawrence Eichenfield focused on atopic dermatitis, noting several unanswered questions surrounding long-term immunologic modulation. He pointed to differences among biologics targeting IL-4/IL-13 pathways, IL-13 alone, IL-31, and upstream mediators such as OX40 and OX40 ligand. Although clinical endpoints such as Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores remain central, Eichenfield indicated understanding immunologic “rebooting” after prolonged therapy may shape treatment paradigms in the future, especially among pediatric and adult patients.

Bhatia pointed to excitement around a novel systemic acne therapy, denifanstat, a fatty acid synthase inhibitor targeting de novo lipogenesis to reduce sebum production. Unlike isotretinoin or antibiotics, Bhatia describes this mechanism as addressing a key driver of the pathogenesis of acne without retinoid-associated adverse effects, representing a potential paradigm shift in moderate-to-severe acne management. It is pending additional US-based research.

Dawn Eichenfield highlighted advances in the pediatric dermatology space, particularly highlighting genetic diagnostics and evolving biologic platforms. She suggested oral biologics and medications with extended dosing intervals could improve patient adherence as well as the quality of life of children and adolescents who prefer not to experience injections at an increased frequency.

In Mease’s segment of this interview, he described continued innovation across dermatology and rheumatology, noting small-molecule and biologic therapies aimed at IL-17A/F, IL-23, and TL1A pathways. Mease additionally referenced emerging long-acting biologic options potentially requiring administration only once or twice per year. This development of emerging options reflects efforts to refine molecular configurations for sustained treatment efficacy.

Nghiem spoke in his interview about AI’s growing role in dermatology, particularly in complex malignancies such as Merkel cell carcinoma. While he acknowledged potential overhype, Nghiem emphasized AI’s potential value in expanding patient access to multidisciplinary insights and surfacing considerations clinicians may not initially identify.

In his segment, Liszewski highlighted increasing awareness of chronic hand eczema (CHE) and renewed dermatology engagement in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) management, especially with the emergence of newer agents such as remibrutinib and dupilumab. These drugs, Liszewski highlighted, are reshaping treatment algorithms.

Collectively, these leading experts at Maui Derm Hawaii 2026 signaled a year defined not only by new research and emerging treatment options, but by deeper immunologic understanding, improved personalization of medications, and expanded tools to enhance patient-centered care in the field of dermatology.

For more information on research covered at the 2026 Maui Derm conference, view the full video above or check out the 

Disclosures: Stein Gold has reported serving as an investigator, advisor, or speaker for Johnson & Johnson. Lawrence Eichenfield previously reported receiving personal fees from Pfizer; grant support from AbbVie, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Castle Biosciences, Dermavant Sciences, Galderma, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi; consulting fees from multiple pharmaceutical companies; and serving on the board of directors of Forté Pharma. Bhatia has reported serving as an advisor, consultant, and investigator for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Beiersdorf, Biofrontera, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics, Dermavant Sciences, EPI Health, Ferndale, Galderma, Incyte, ISDIN, Johnson & Johnson, La Roche-Posay, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Verrica Pharmaceuticals. Dawn Eichenfield had no relevant disclosures of note for this interview. Mease has previously reported receiving research grants from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma and UCB; and serving as a consultant and/or receiving speaker fees from AbbVie, Acelyrin, Aclaris, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Galápagos, Gilead, GSK, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, UCB, Ventyx Biosciences, and XinThera. Liszewski has no disclosures of note.

Stein Gold L, Hawkes J. Best of the Best at Maui Derm. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Eichenfield L, Silverberg J, Chovatiya R. Atopic Dermatitis and Pruritus: Current Concepts and Therapeutics for 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Rosen T, Bhatia N. New Drugs and Therapies in 2026. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Eichenfield D, Fallon Friedlander S, Treat J, et al. Pediatric Dermatology 2026. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

Stein Gold L, Song E, Gordon K, et al. Psoriasis Update 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Liszewski W. Contact Dermatitis Update 2026. Presented at: Maui Derm Hawaii 2026; January 25-29, 2026; Maui, Hawaii.

Videos

Dermatology leaders preview 2026 breakthroughs including oral psoriasis drugs, new biologics, novel acne drugs, and AI tools transforming patient care.

Discussing GLP-1s, New Dermatology Therapies in 2026, With Neal Bhatia, MD

 featured a session titled ‘New Drugs and Therapies in 2026,’ presented by 2 notable leaders in the dermatology field: Neal Bhatia, MD, and Ted Rosen, MD.

Bhatia, known for his role as the director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research, spoke with the 

 team in an interview regarding some of the most notable takeaways from his and Rosen’s discussion of newer therapies

“We do what was approved in the last 3 months, what's going to be approved in the next 3 months, and then what's in the pipeline,” Bhatia explained.

The pair of speakers had focused their attention on such therapies as intralesional skin cancer treatments, touching briefly on VP-315. BP-315 is an experimental, first-in-class, injectable oncolytic peptide treatment developed for non-surgical skin cancer management. It primarily is used in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Additionally, Bhatia noted several updates on topical Janus Kinase (JAK)-inhibitor use and treating chronic hand eczema.

“The pipeline is very rich for some of those systemic agents,” Bhatia said. “Part of the problem is the pipeline is very poor for topical agents. So we're trying to expand the uses of many of the topicals we have, and that was a lot of our discussion.”

Atopic dermatitis was described by Bhatia as having no shortage of drugs in the pipeline. However, he points to the lack of randomized clinical trials in other inflammatory skin diseases, given the smaller patient populations. In particular, he pointed to patients suffering from hives and urticaria. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) has replicable data.

 approved medications for urticaria have to go under the category of CSU, Bhatia noted. Omalizumab was FDA-approved in years prior, dupilumab received an approval as well, and remibrutinib is now approved for CSU.

 He later pointed to developments in GLP-1 agonists in dermatology as another new development.

“We did mention the GLP-1s as well,” Bhatia noted. “...There's a lot of good data on reduction of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-17, some of the other interleukins, but it's also it's big on insulin resistance. You can reduce insulin resistance, you can improve a lot of the inflammatory outcomes as well.”

One should not use GLP-1s alone, Bhatia explained, as it is not an individual cure for any single dermatologic disease. However, adding such treatments on to existing therapy should be considered. As an exmaple, he pointed to weight improvements among patients with psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) leading to wound healing improvements and quality of life improvements.

The quotes included in this interview summary were edited for clarity.

Bhatia has reported serving as an advisor, consultant, and investigator for AbbVie, Almirall, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Beiersdorf, Biofrontera, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cara Therapeutics, Dermavant Sciences, EPI Health, Ferndale, Galderma, Incyte, ISDIN, Johnson & Johnson, La Roche-Posay, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Ortho Dermatologics, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Sun Pharma, and Verrica Pharmaceuticals.

Novartis Pharma AG. Novartis receives FDA approval for Rhapsido® (remibrutinib), the only oral, targeted BTKi treatment for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). GlobeNewswire News Room. Published September 30, 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/30/3159065/0/en/Novartis-receives-FDA-approval-for-Rhapsido-remibrutinib-the-only-oral-targeted-BTKi-treatment-for-chronic-spontaneous-urticaria-CSU.html

Neal Bhatia, MD, speaks in this interview regarding his discussion at Maui Derm Hawaii of new and emerging therapies in dermatology.

In a previous interview, Neal Bhatia, MD spoke on his team’s findings regarding actinic keratosis clearance and lesion count reductions achieved when patients used tirbanibulin in an open-label phase 4 study and in real-world clinical settings.

These findings, summarized in a poster titled ‘Clearance of actinic keratosis with tirbanibulin: Comparing results from controlled trials with real-world/low interventional clinical studies,’ were presented during the 

2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress

 in Paris. Bhatia, who serves as director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research, spoke with 

 in an interview on-site about the findings.

Discussing Tirbanibulin, Unmet Needs of Patients with Actinic Keratosis, With Neal Bhatia, MD

“I think the unmet needs, unfortunately, are a function of label, because all the drugs from that have come for AKs are all monotherapy,” Bhatia explained. “We don't use monotherapy with a case we think in terms of and and not or, where we're thinking, ‘I want to freeze and then I want to do something to keep things away, and I want to treat the floater damage as well.’ So that's really an unmet need, more about do we do [this]? We need more studies that show you know the progression and an algorithm that we can all live by, and that will help with insurance coverage as well, when we can justify why we do things in tandem”

Bhatia highlighted that there is less of a need for new drugs than the need for dermatologists to implement current medications for actinic keratosis, to the patient’s advantage.

“Dermatologists have a big red flag about patient reactions,” Bhatia said. “They say, ‘Well, my patients don't want to get red, I don't have the time to get these drugs covered, and it's not important to me.’ [They say they’ll] just freeze and do PDT, and be fine. And you know, the freeze-and-go mentality is just a bandage. It's not treating the process, and we're not helping reduce skin cancer risk with that mentality.”

For any additional information related to research presented at EADV, view our latest coverage of the conference.

Bhatia has reported serving as a consulting honoraria from and investigator for Almirall, Biofrontera, Leo, Ortho, and Sun Pharma.

Bhatia N, Martin G, Schlesinger T, et al. Clearance of actinic keratosis with tirbanibulin: Comparing results from controlled trials with real-world/low interventional clinical studies. Presented at the European Association of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2025 Congress. Paris, France. September 17-20, 2025.

Bhatia N. Spotlighting Data on Clearance of Actinic Keratosis Using Tirbanibulin, With Neal Bhatia, MD. HCPLive. September 24, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2025. 

https://www.hcplive.com/view/spotlighting-data-clearance-actinic-keratosis-using-tirbanibulin-neal-bhatia-md

 clearance and lesion count reductions attained using tirbanibulin therapy in randomized control trials (RCTs) approximated findings attained in an open-label phase 4 study and in real-world clinical settings, recent data suggest.

These data, highlighted in a poster titled ‘Clearance of actinic keratosis with tirbanibulin: Comparing results from controlled trials with real-world/low interventional clinical studies,’ were presented at the 

 in Paris, France. Presenter Neal Bhatia, MD, director of clinical dermatology at Therapeutics Clinical Research and chief medical editor for Practical Dermatology, spoke with 

 about these data on tirbanibulin and their significance.

Spotlighting Data on Clearance of Actinic Keratosis Using Tirbanibulin, With Neal Bhatia, MD

“For me, I like to use what's called the ‘windshield wiper,’ where you treat, basically the temples over the forehead and back to the other temple, [and this], for men, is the hotspot is both temples and cheeks,” Bhatia said. “You can also get a little bit of the nose and the ears covered, which is really nice. The bottom line though is that the local skin reactions are very mild. This is not working on inflammation or creating necrosis, like we see with [5-fluorouracil]...This is working on phagocytosis and apoptosis, which is basically programmed cell death, and being enhanced and taking the atypical keratinocytes that make an actinic keratosis and basically watching them implode.”

Bhatia was asked about additional elements covered in his presentation of these data on tirbanibulin. He highlighted

“There has been a phobia among dermatologists for patients just don't want to get red,” Bhatia said. “...You don't have that. You don't really have a need for really taking down time [with this drug]. I tell patients that the peak reaction is going to be about Day 8, because that's what we learned in the trials. If you can get a timeline, saying to do the 5 in a row, maybe between Day 8 and Day 20, don't schedule any photo shoots or go to any weddings. By Day 29, everything should be back to zero. I think that's a good way to describe it to patients.”

Bhatia highlighted this as a way to describe treatment to patients with actinic keratosis. Dermatologists, Bhatia explained, should use the drug in combination with what is typically utilized in the office.

“For me, this is really a no brainer, to think about why topicals make sense,” Bhatia said. “More importantly is knowing that we don't have very aggressive and limiting local skin reactions. I think that's real important. I always tell dermatologists, ‘Don't call these side effects.’ These are expected or anticipated local skin reactions based on the mechanism, and if you can just mitigate those with it with a mechanism that does the job and patients will stick with it.”

To find out more information related to data presented at EADV, view our latest coverage of the conference.

Bhatia N, Lain E, Blauvelt A, et al. Safety and tolerability of tirbanibulin ointment 1% treatment on 100 cm2 of the face or scalp in patients with actinic keratosis: A phase 3 study. JAAD Int. 2024 Jul 18;17:6-14. 

This interview highlighted findings on actinic keratosis following treatment with tirbanibulin.


Neal Bhatia, MD

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