SPIN White Paper - Lack of approved drugs, an unmet medical need in chronic inflammatory diseases

Abstract

This SPIN-FRT study, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2025), highlights the major imbalance in therapeutic innovation across chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases (IMIDs). By systematically analysing EMA and FDA approvals, the authors identified nineteen systemic therapies for psoriasis and seven for atopic dermatitis, but only three for alopecia areata, three for hidradenitis suppurativa, and none for vitiligo.

These findings underline the urgent need to extend drug development and evidence-based guidelines beyond the most common IMIDs. SPIN proposes a roadmap calling for stronger academic–industry collaboration, head-to-head comparative trials, real-world data collection, and the inclusion of patient-reported outcomes in all trial phases.

Supported by the Fondation René Touraine, this initiative reflects SPIN’s mission to reduce disparities in access to effective treatments and to promote coordinated international research efforts for patients affected by neglected cutaneous IMIDs.