Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, Examines the 2026 Pipeline

As 2025 comes to a close, the dermatology community is turning its attention to the year ahead, which promises to bring several pivotal developments in inflammatory skin disease research and treatment. In an interview with Dermatology Times, editor in chief Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, outlined key clinical milestones expected in 2026 that may influence the future management of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD).

Advancing Psoriasis Treatment with Next-Generation TYK2 Inhibitors

According to Bunick, one of the most anticipated events in early 2026 will be the release of phase 3 clinical trial data for zasocitinib, a next-generation TYK-2 inhibitor. These results are expected to debut around the time of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver in March. The findings will likely address important questions about how this newer molecule compares to deucravacitinib, the first-generation TYK-2 inhibitor already approved for psoriasis.

Clinicians and researchers will also be closely watching how zasocitinib’s data compare to other orally administered psoriasis therapies, including apremilast, and emerging peptide-based treatments such as icotrokinra, an IL-23 receptor–targeting cyclic peptide currently in development. These comparisons may help define the positioning of next-generation TYK-2 inhibitors within an increasingly competitive therapeutic landscape.

Extended Half-Life Biologics in Atopic Dermatitis

Bunick also highlighted significant upcoming data in the atopic dermatitis pipeline, particularly surrounding extended half-life biologics. Researchers are exploring IL-13–targeted agents engineered for longer duration of action, with potential dosing intervals of up to every 3 months. Such innovations could improve patient adherence and convenience without compromising efficacy.

Ongoing studies are also examining extended dosing intervals for existing biologics, such as lebrikizumab, potentially moving from every 4 to every 8 or even 12 weeks. Additionally, novel dual- and tri-specific antibody platforms targeting multiple inflammatory pathways—including barrier mechanisms like kallikrein 5 and 7—are under evaluation, representing a potential paradigm shift in AD treatment design.

A Year of Translational Momentum

Overall, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of strong translational momentum in dermatology. As Bunick emphasized, the upcoming clinical data across psoriasis and atopic dermatitis could expand both therapeutic diversity and personalization of care. Continued innovation in molecular targeting and dosing strategies reflects a broader trend toward improving long-term disease control, safety, and patient quality of life.