For dermatologists and the dermatology community, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting has earned the reputation as a platform the next wave of practice-changing advances in the field. The 2026 AAD annual meeting served as a prime example of why, with more than a dozen phase 2 or phase 3 trials headlining the conference—showcasing new data in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and more.
In this special edition episode of ABCs in Dermatology, hosts Chris Bunick, MD, PhD, of Yale School of Medicine, and Lindsay Ackerman, MD, of US Dermatology Partners, break down a trio of late-breaking trials from the meeting and share their perspective on additional data of note across multiple disease states.
TOGETHER-PsA Trial
On March 28, 2026, Eli Lilly announced positive phase 3b results from the TOGETHER-PsA trial evaluating concomitant ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) versus ixekizumab alone in adults with active psoriatic arthritis and obesity or overweight.
In the randomized, open-label trial of 271 participants, the combination arm met the primary endpoint, ACR50 response plus ≥10% weight reduction at 36 weeks, in 31.7% of patients versus 0.8% with ixekizumab monotherapy, with improvements in disease activity, fatigue, physical function, and cardiometabolic markers also favoring the combination. Adverse events in the combination arm were generally mild to moderate and consistent with the established profiles of each agent, with nausea, diarrhea, and constipation among the most common.
Eli Lilly indicated detailed findings will be discussed with regulators, though no submission timeline was disclosed.
Part A of the Phase 2 APEX Trial
On March 23, 2026, Apogee Therapeutics announced positive 52-week maintenance data from Part A of the phase 2 APEX trial evaluating zumilokibart, an extended half-life anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody, in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
Based on the trial's maintenance phase, EASI-75 response was maintained at week 52 in 75% and 85% of week 16 responders receiving every-3-month and every-6-month dosing, respectively, with deepening of response observed across lesional and itch endpoints in the full treated population through 52 weeks. Zumilokibart's extended half-life design supports dosing as infrequently as twice yearly, compared with up to 26 annual injections for currently available therapies, with a safety profile consistent with other agents in the IL-13 class.
Part B 16-week induction data are expected in the second quarter of 2026, with phase 3 initiation in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis planned for the second half of 2026.
LATITUDE Psoriasis Phase 3 Studies
On March 28, 2026, Takeda announced positive phase 3 results from the Latitude PsO 3001 and 3002 trials evaluating zasocitinib, a once-daily oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active comparator-controlled trials, 71.4% and 69.2% of zasocitinib-treated patients achieved sPGA 0/1 at week 16 versus 10.7% and 12.6% with placebo and 32.1% and 29.7% with apremilast (P <.001), with PASI 75 responses observed as early as week 4 and more than 90% of week 40 responders maintaining response through week 60. The safety profile was consistent with phase 2b data, with upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, and acne among the most common adverse events and no new safety signals were identified.
Takeda plans to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA starting in fiscal year 2026.
Relevant disclosures for Bunick include AbbVie, South Beach Symposium, Almirall, Apogee Therapeutics, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly, LEO Pharma, US, Novan, Novartis, Ortho Dermatologics, Palvella Therapeutics, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Timber Pharmaceuticals, and UCB. Relevant disclosures for Ackerman include AbbVie, Alumis, Amgen, Arcutis, Beiersdorf, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Galderma, L'Oréal, Novartis, Sun Pharmaceutical, and UCB.
