6 Dermatology Headlines You Missed in February 2026

In February 2026, the dermatology field continued to show significant advancements, in terms of new treatments for dermatologic diseases, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news, and new data on various disease states.

In this new iteration of the HCPLive Month in Review series, the editorial team has highlighted a series of headlines from February’s dermatology news coverage. Two new episodes of HCPLive’s dermatology podcasts were also released this month. From FDA news related to imsidolimab for generalized pustular psoriasis to new data on tirzepatide and ixekizumab combination therapy, February was certainly a notable month in skin health news.

The following list of the most significant news in dermatology highlights 6 of these key developments in the space:

FDA News:

Upadacitinib Regulatory Applications Submitted for Adults, Adolescents with Vitiligo

In February, both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) received regulatory applications by AbbVie seeking approval of upadacitinib (Rinvoq) 15 mg once per day for adults and adolescents with non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). The February 3 announcement of AbbVie’s submissions followed previous data resulting from the Viti-Up clinical trial program, assessing upadacitinib’s efficacy and safety among individuals with NSV.

"Many patients experience ongoing frustration due to the unpredictability of non-segmental vitiligo spread and the lack of systemic treatment options that can stabilize disease progression and achieve skin re-pigmentation," Kori Wallace, MD, PhD, vice president and global head of immunology clinical development at AbbVie, said in a statement.

FDA Accepts BLA for Imsidolimab as Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Treatment

The FDA also accepted for review a Biologics License Application (BLA) for imsidolimab as a treatment for patients living with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ announcement of this BLA acceptance also highlights the drug’s FDA Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date as December 12, 2026.

"The acceptance of the BLA filing for imsidolimab marks a critical milestone in our efforts to bring this innovative therapy to patients suffering from GPP," Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, MD, president, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Vanda Pharmaceuticals, said in a statement. "Imsidolimab builds on our growing expertise in rare orphan disorders and our anti-inflammatory portfolio.”

February Dermatology News:

Ixekizumab, Tirzepatide Effective Together for Psoriasis and Obesity or Overweight

In another notable headline from February, Eli Lilly and Company released new findings suggesting adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and obesity or overweight see significant improvements with combined ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) treatment in both skin clearance and weight reduction as opposed to ixekizumab alone. These were positive topline findings resulting from the phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO trial, an open-label study assessing the combined use of ixekizumab and tirzepatide versus ixekizumab alone.

Nemolizumab Shows Long-Term Efficacy in Prurigo Nodularis for Up to 3 Years

On February 27, new data were released suggesting treatment with nemolizumab (Nemluvio) for up to 3 years is associated with sustained disease control and a favorable tolerability profile among those with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis. These data, highlighted by Galderma, resulted from the open-label extension phase of the OLYMPIA clinical program evaluating nemolizumab in patients living with prurigo nodularis. The drug is FDA-approved for adults with prurigo nodularis.

“Prurigo nodularis is not only intensely itchy, painful and uncomfortable, it can also take a profound toll on sleep, emotional well-being, and daily functioning,” Shawn Kwatra, MD, lead OLYMPIA investigator and Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chairman of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said in a statement. “That’s why achieving sustained, long-term disease control is critical for patients.”

February Podcasts:

The Medical Sisterhood: Physician Mom Burnout & Mental Health Strategies, With Jennifer Hsiao, MD

February’s episode of The Medical Sisterhood podcast featured a discussion between host Mona Shahriari, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, and Jennifer Hsiao, MD, a dermatologist and clinical associate professor of clinical dermatology at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC), regarding the topics of balance, leadership, and success working as a physician in dermatology as well as a parent. The invisible labor faced by female physicians, particularly mothers, was highlighted in this episode.

Additionally, the pair highlighted the common use of mental checklists, calendar management, and the constant juggling of professional and personal responsibilities. Hsiao touches on her own life as a dermatologist and mother of 2 children, speaking about the various challenges of maintaining work-life balance and the societal expectations placed on moms. Throughout the episode, Shahriari and Hsiao emphasize the need for shared responsibilities at home.

Skin of Color Savvy: Why 2026 Is the Year of Skin Equity, With Susan Taylor, MD, Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, and Mona Shahriari, MD

In the Skin of Color Savvy episode posted in February, hosted by Skin of Color Society (SOCS) leaders and produced by HCPLive, the podcast welcomed Mona Shahriari, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine and host of The Medical Sisterhood, who led a conversation on advancing skin health equity with Susan Taylor, MD, the Bernett Johnson Endowed Professor of Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc, board-certified dermatologist and Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology.

The 3 speakers pointed to 2026 as a potentially “pivotal year,” noting the need for a shift from simple awareness of disparities toward measurable action. The speakers looked at the different wats the the current moment differs from the past, citing tangible therapeutic advances in conditions that disproportionately affect patients with skin of color, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and atopic dermatitis.