Hi — I'm Alma
Hi — I'm Alma. I put this guide together for you because navigating the world of dermatology research can feel overwhelming, and you shouldn't have to do it alone.
If you or someone you care about is living with a skin condition like atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, you may have wondered whether a clinical trial could be a good option. Maybe your current treatment isn't doing enough. Maybe you've heard about new therapies in development and you're curious. Whatever brought you here, I want to help you understand what's actually going on in dermatology research right now — in plain language, with no hype.
This guide covers what these conditions are, what trials are actively being studied in the United States, and how you can figure out whether one might be right for you.
What are atopic dermatitis and psoriasis?
Dermatology covers a wide range of skin conditions, but two of the most common — and most actively studied — are atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. They can look similar on the surface, but they're actually quite different underneath.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. It causes patches of skin to become red, inflamed, intensely itchy, and sometimes cracked or weeping. It often starts in childhood, but plenty of adults deal with it too — sometimes for the first time in their 20s, 30s, or later.
The root cause involves a combination of genetics, an overactive immune system, and a weakened skin barrier. Your skin essentially has trouble holding in moisture and keeping irritants out, while your immune system overreacts to things that wouldn't bother most people. The itch can be relentless, disrupting sleep, concentration, and quality of life in ways that people who don't have it often underestimate.
Treatments range from moisturizers and topical steroids for mild cases to newer biologic injections and oral medications for moderate-to-severe disease. But not everyone responds well, and many patients cycle through options looking for lasting relief.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. Instead of shedding normally, cells pile up on the surface, forming thick, scaly plaques — most commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. Plaque psoriasis is the most common type.
But psoriasis isn't just a skin disease. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful inflammation of the joints that can cause lasting damage if not treated early. Some studies in our database are specifically focused on detecting psoriatic arthritis sooner in people who already have psoriasis.
Like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis has a significant impact beyond the physical symptoms. It can affect self-confidence, mental health, and daily routines. Current treatments include topical therapies, phototherapy (light-based treatment), and systemic medications including biologics — but researchers are continuing to look for better, longer-lasting, and more targeted options.
What's happening in dermatology research right now
There's a lot going on. Right now, we're tracking 92 clinical trials in dermatology across the United States on Alma. These span a range of phases — from early-phase studies exploring safety and mechanisms (12 Phase 1 and 15 Phase 2 trials), to larger trials testing whether treatments actually work at scale (16 Phase 3 trials), to post-approval studies examining real-world use and new applications (16 Phase 4 trials). Another 33 studies are observational or don't have a traditional phase classification — many of these focus on understanding disease biology, long-term safety, or patient-reported outcomes.
The bulk of the research centers on atopic dermatitis, which appears in 76 of the 92 trials. Psoriasis — including plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis — is the focus of the other major cluster, appearing across 19 trials.
Several well-known pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are running these studies:
- Pfizer and UCB Biopharma SRL each sponsor 5 trials, exploring new therapeutic options across both conditions.
- Janssen Research & Development (part of Johnson & Johnson) is behind 4 trials, and AbbVie — known for its IL-23 inhibitor risankizumab — is sponsoring 3, including a pregnancy exposure registry studying the safety of risankizumab in pregnant women with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Takeda sponsors 3 trials, while Sanofi, Eli Lilly and Company, Incyte Corporation, and Hoffmann-La Roche each contribute 2.
- The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is running 4 studies, including work on metabolic profiling of immune responses across immune-mediated diseases — the kind of foundational science that helps future treatments get smarter.
- Academic centers like the University of California, San Francisco, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Michigan are also active contributors, with studies ranging from understanding ethnic differences in drug response to tracking real-world changes in the skin microbiome.
The Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey leads 5 trials, many of which are Phase 4 studies combining existing therapies — for example, pairing biologic treatments like IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors with topical formulations to see if outcomes improve.
What's especially interesting is the breadth of questions being asked. Some trials are testing new drug combinations. Others are studying the skin microbiome — the community of bacteria living on your skin — to understand how it shifts with treatment and disease activity. And a growing number are examining the safety of newer biologics during pregnancy, filling a gap that many patients and doctors have worried about.
What this means for you as a patient
If your current treatment isn't fully controlling your atopic dermatitis or psoriasis — or if it comes with side effects you'd rather avoid — a clinical trial might be worth considering. Trials give you access to treatments that aren't yet widely available, and you'll be closely monitored by a medical team throughout.
That said, joining a trial is a personal decision. Here are some questions worth asking yourself — and your doctor:
- How well is my current treatment working? If you're still dealing with significant symptoms, flares, or quality-of-life impacts, a trial could offer something different.
- What phase is the trial in? Earlier-phase trials (Phase 1 or 2) tend to focus more on safety and dosing. Phase 3 and 4 trials are testing treatments that have already shown promise.
- What's the time commitment? Some trials require frequent visits, lab work, or washout periods where you stop your current treatment. Make sure you understand what's involved before you commit.
- Is there a placebo group? Many trials are placebo-controlled, meaning some participants receive an inactive treatment. This is important for scientific rigor, but it's something you should know going in.
- Will my data be used responsibly? Reputable trials follow strict ethical guidelines and require your informed consent at every step.
You don't have to have all the answers right now. The most important step is getting informed — and that's exactly what this guide is for.
How our triage works
Alma's triage is a short, guided chat that helps you figure out which dermatology trials might be a match for your situation. You'll find it on our dermatology page.
Here's how it works: I'll ask you a few straightforward questions — about your condition, where you're located, and what kind of treatment you're currently on. Based on your answers, I'll show you the trials that are most relevant to you. No jargon, no pressure. You can take your time, revisit anytime, and you're never committed to anything by going through the chat.
The goal is simple: to save you the hours of searching, filtering, and decoding eligibility criteria that would normally take forever on your own. Think of it as a first step — a way to see what's out there before you talk to your doctor or reach out to a study team.
Ready to explore your options?
If you're curious about whether a dermatology clinical trial could be right for you, the best next step is a quick one.
Start the triage here → almastudies.com/dermatology
It takes just a few minutes, and you'll walk away with a clearer picture of what's available. I'll be right there to guide you through it.