7 Dermatology Headlines You Missed in July 2026

Published on: August 2, 2026

Catch up on July dermatology news: vitiligo and alopecia data, a pipeline discontinuation, psoriasis comparisons, and an FDA sNDA acceptance.

July has been a busy month in dermatology, with new phase 3 data, a major pipeline setback, and fresh head-to-head comparisons reshaping the conversation around some of the field's most closely watched conditions.

Investigators reported encouraging repigmentation results for ritlecitinib in nonsegmental vitiligo, while new SIGNAL-AA data highlighted bempikibart's effectiveness in alopecia areata at 36 weeks. Meanwhile, Sanofi announced it would discontinue development of amlitelimab for atopic dermatitis, and a new analysis pit risankizumab against icotrokinra in adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Beyond the trial data, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted a supplemental new drug application for roflumilast cream, .05%, that could extend its use to infants as young as 3 months with eczema. Coverage this month also looked beyond the clinic, examining how artificial intelligence and teledermatology are reshaping bias in skin of color care, and featuring a conversation with Meagen McCusker, MD, on her path from employee to entrepreneur. Here's a closer look at 7 stories you might have missed in dermatology this July:

Ritlecitinib Improves Repigmentation in Nonsegmental Vitiligo Phase 3 Data

Positive topline phase 3 findings were announced in July by Pfizer, indicating once-daily ritlecitinib (LITFULO) met its co-primary endpoints for facial and total repigmentation versus placebo at the 52-week mark among those with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV), across the TRANQUILLO and TRANQUILLO 2 analyses. The company is slated to initiate a pivotal trial assessing ritlecitinib for moderate alopecia areata in 2026.

SIGNAL-AA: Bempikibart Effective for Alopecia Areata at 36 Weeks

Q32 Bio also announced positive topline findings in July. The 36-week analysis of Part B of the phase 2a SIGNAL-AA trial saw the use of investigational drug bempikibart leading to clinically meaningful levels of hair regrowth. It also saw a favorable safety profile among individuals with severe or very severe alopecia areata, with no treatment-related serious or Grade ≥3 adverse events reported.

Sanofi Announces Discontinuation of Amlitelimab for Atopic Dermatitis

In another announcement in July, Sanofi found amlitelimab lacked sufficient clinical advantage over existing moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis medications. In light of this conclusion, the company announced the termination of submissions and program wind-down despite supportive SHORE/COAST/ESTUARY results.

Risankizumab Versus Icotrokinra: New Data on Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis

July also saw a new matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) study, the findings of which suggested risankizumab therapy may lead to greater clinical efficacy versus icotrokinra in adults living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Long-term extension findings indicated durable disease control without relapse among adolescents and adults. Additionally, safety remained consistent with earlier research, though differentiation compared to existing options was deemed inadequate.

FDA Accepts sNDA for Roflumilast Cream 0.05% in Infants Down to 3 Months with Eczema

The acceptance by the FDA of a new supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) was announced by Arcutis Biotherapeutics in July for an expansion of their indication for topical roflumilast cream 0.05% (Zoryve). The expansion is designed to include infants aged 3 months to younger than 24 months with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. The drug is assigned with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of February 23, 2027.

Skin of Color Savvy: Tech Check—AI, Telederm, and the Bias Question

July’s Skin of Color Savvy podcast featured Morayo Adisa, MD, medical director of Dermatology Physicians SC in Chicago and Kenilworth, Illinois, and Roxana Daneshjou, MD, PhD, assistant professor of biomedical data science and dermatology at Stanford University. They examined one of the most rapidly evolving subjects in the dermatology world: the intersection of telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and equitable care for those with skin of color.

The Medical Sisterhood: From Employee to Entrepreneur, With Meagen McCusker, MD

In July’s The Medical Sisterhood podcast episode, the show’s host Mona Shahriari, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and dermatologist at Yale Medicine, welcomed Meagen M. McCusker, MD, MS, the medical director of Integrated Dermatology of Enfield & Simsbury. Both McCusker and Shahriari spoke about leaving academic medicine and embracing entrepreneurship. They also touched on building a career balancing both professional goals and personal priorities.