What to Expect at EADV 2026: Research, Clinical Updates, and Emerging Therapies

The 35th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress will bring dermatology experts from around the world to Vienna, Austria, from September 30 through October 3, 2026. Across 4 days of scientific programming, clinicians and researchers will explore emerging data, evolving treatment strategies, and practical approaches spanning inflammatory skin disease, hair disorders, skin cancer, pigmentary conditions, and more.

With more than 170 scientific sessions planned, the 2026 program combines late-breaking research and clinical updates with educational sessions, controversies, subspecialty programming, and hands-on workshops. The meeting will also be available virtually, with scientific sessions livestreamed and subsequently available on demand.

As Dermatology Times prepares to cover the meeting from Vienna, here are several themes and sessions to watch at EADV 2026.

Late-Breaking Research Takes Center Stage

Some of the most anticipated research of the meeting will be presented during EADV's Late Breaking News sessions. Late-breaking abstracts are reserved for new, unpublished data and are presented orally during the congress.

This year's Late Breaking News sessions are scheduled for Friday, October 2, and will offer a closer look at emerging findings with the potential to influence future dermatologic research and clinical practice.

Full content from accepted abstracts, including late-breaking research, remains under embargo until September 30 at 7:00 AM CEST, setting the stage for a wave of new data as the congress begins.

Atopic Dermatitis and Targeted Therapies Remain in Focus

Atopic dermatitis (AD) will once again have a substantial presence at EADV, reflecting the rapidly expanding therapeutic landscape and continued questions surrounding long-term disease management.

Dedicated sessions on pediatric and adult AD are scheduled for October 2, while additional programming throughout the congress will address new and established targeted treatments. The scientific program also includes a specific “Focus on” track examining JAK inhibitors, providing opportunities to discuss their evolving role across dermatologic diseases.

Beyond efficacy, emerging research is expected to continue expanding the conversation around treatment selection, long-term outcomes, comorbidities, and quality of life.

Precision Medicine and Biomarkers

One of the broader themes emerging from this year's program is the movement toward increasingly personalized dermatologic care.

The opening plenary program will include a presentation examining biomarkers with the potential to change clinical practice, particularly as researchers continue to characterize inflammatory skin diseases at a molecular level.

Later in the meeting, a plenary lecture on personalized treatment for skin immune-mediated inflammatory diseases will explore the potential for molecular disease profiles to guide treatment selection. As the number of biologics and small-molecule therapies continues to grow, these discussions may provide a glimpse into how clinicians could eventually move beyond traditional trial-and-error approaches to treatment selection.

Advances in Hair and Scalp Disorders

Hair disorders will also receive dedicated attention throughout the meeting.

Sessions will explore both cicatricial and noncicatricial alopecias, with programming addressing advances in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management. Topics include folliculitis decalvans, lichen planopilaris, psoriatic alopecia, and updates in common forms of progressive hair loss.

For clinicians treating patients with alopecia, these sessions may offer practical insights into translating recent research developments into everyday practice.

Skin Cancer and the Tumor Microenvironment

Cutaneous oncology will be another major component of EADV 2026. Programming will span melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, dermoscopy, Mohs surgery, cutaneous lymphoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and cutaneous sarcomas.

A plenary lecture on the tumor microenvironment in skin cancer will examine how immune cells, fibroblasts, the extracellular matrix, microbiome, and other components interact with malignant cells and potentially influence tumor development and therapeutic response.

Additional sessions will address dermoscopy and advances in the diagnosis and management of skin malignancies.

Improving Dermatologic Care Across Skin Tones

Clinical recognition and treatment of dermatologic disease in patients with skin of color will also be highlighted.

A session selected among the EADV president's dermatology hot topics will examine diagnostic and therapeutic pearls in skin of color, including differences in the presentation of inflammatory and pigmentary disorders across diverse skin tones.

The session is expected to emphasize pattern recognition beyond erythema and highlight clinical presentations that may contribute to delayed or missed diagnoses.

Practical Education Alongside Emerging Science

Although new clinical trial data often generate the biggest headlines at major congresses, EADV 2026 will also emphasize translating evidence into everyday dermatologic practice.

The scientific program includes educational sessions, practical diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, subspecialty programming, and hands-on workshops covering topics ranging from dermoscopy and dermatologic surgery to wound healing, ultrasound, artificial intelligence, botulinum toxin, and hair loss.

Together, these sessions provide clinicians with opportunities to pair emerging scientific developments with practical skills that can be implemented in patient care.

What Dermatology Times Will Be Watching

From new therapeutic data and late-breaking trials to evolving approaches to precision medicine, inflammatory disease, alopecia, and cutaneous oncology, EADV 2026 is positioned to provide a broad look at where dermatology is heading.

Dermatology Times will be on site in Vienna throughout the congress, bringing readers breaking research, expert interviews, clinical perspectives, and coverage of the findings most relevant to dermatology practice.

Stay tuned to Dermatology Times for continued coverage from EADV 2026.

References

1. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. (2026). EADV Congress 2026. EADV Congress 2026
2. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. (2026). Scientific programme. EADV 2026 scientific programme
3. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. (2026). Late-breaking abstracts. EADV 2026 late-breaking abstracts