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A recap of 7 standout interviews from LEADderm 2026, covering molluscum care, HS pipeline data, precision medicine, and dermatology leadership.
Dermatologists gathered in Newport Beach, California, for LEADderm 2026, a conference built around what organizers call the specialty's "missing curriculum": mentorship, negotiation, practice management, and other skills clinical training often overlooks. HCPLive sat down with several speakers on-site. Here is a recap of 7 standout conversations:
Leon Kircik, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, discussed why berdazimer topical gel, 10.3%, gives families their first FDA-approved, at-home molluscum contagiosum option after decades of reliance on irritating topicals or in-office procedures. He also pointed to alopecia areata as an area he finds especially exciting, citing 3 approved JAK inhibitors and hope for a future biologic option.
Ross Levy, MD, of Endeavor Health, described Skin Angels, a dermatology-focused angel investing network that has evaluated more than 300 companies. He encouraged early-career dermatologists to treat everyday clinical pain points as potential business ideas, and pointed to AI and topical immune-targeted therapies as areas to watch.
Manju Dawkins, MD, a Skin Angels member and founder of needle-anxiety startup Thimble Health, echoed the case for clinician involvement in dermatology investing. She cited needle phobia as an underappreciated problem, affecting an estimated 60% of adults, and said she is watching for fewer-injection biologics and more oral treatment options ahead.
Peter Lio, MD, of Northwestern University, compared precision medicine's more advanced state in psoriasis with the continued unmet need in atopic dermatitis, arguing oncology remains furthest along in matching therapies to disease biology. He also praised the growing evidence base behind over-the-counter cleansers and moisturizers.
Lisa Swanson, MD, of Ada West Dermatology, discussed oral JAK inhibitors advancing for hidradenitis suppurativa, including povorcitinib and upadacitinib, and flagged a pediatric treatment gap in alopecia areata for children under 12.
Steven Daveluy, MD, of Wayne State University, made the case for dermatologists posting reliable, unpolished content to counter online misinformation. He also discussed reframing burnout through an "energy audit" that identifies which parts of a workday to delegate or automate.
Adam Friedman, MD, of George Washington University, discussed strategic refusal as an undertaught career skill, recommending clinicians delay on-the-spot answers and loop requesters back into the decision rather than delivering a flat no.
Together, the interviews reflect LEADderm's dual focus: pipeline therapies moving toward approval, and the leadership and communication skills increasingly seen as core to a dermatology career.
Editor's Note: This transcript has been edited for grammar and clarity using artificial intelligence tools.
