Roundtable Disucussion: Advancing Translational Confidence in Dermatology Drug Development: Leveraging Predictive Skin Models, Precision Biomarkers & Smarter Preclinical Design to De-Risk Early Programs
- How can we improve the predictive value of preclinical dermatology models, such as humanized mouse skin models or ex vivo human skin systems, to better replicate human disease biology and generate stronger proof-of-concept before entering costly clinical trials?
- What strategies can help developers overcome key formulation and delivery challenges in topical drug development, ensuring sufficient drug penetration into the skin while avoiding systemic exposure and reducing variability in early efficacy data?
- Where should the field focus next to identify more precise biomarkers and mechanisms that allow earlier validation of therapeutic targets, particularly in underserved indications such as HS, vitiligo and alopecia where translational signals remain unclear?