Authors: Prashil Shetty, Dr. Harsha K. Rajasimha
Dermatology is experiencing a golden age of scientific discovery and therapeutic development. Once considered a niche area in pharmaceutical R&D, dermatology has risen to prominence as biologics, microbiome-based therapies, and cosmetic innovations converge. As of May 2025, over 5,800 dermatology clinical trials are actively recruiting or underway across the globe, ranging from chronic disease management to novel cosmetic applications. (ClinicalTrials.Gov.)
This surge reflects the increasing burden of skin conditions globally and a rising public demand for faster, personalized, and more inclusive therapeutic options. However, as the field surges scientifically, the operational model for clinical trials still lags.
Can digital innovation close this gap?
Why Traditional Dermatology Trials Are Reaching a Breaking Point—and How Digital Technologies Are Changing the Game
Despite a strong pipeline of dermatology treatments, many clinical trials still rely heavily on outdated, site-centric methods that are increasingly unsustainable. The requirement for frequent in-person visits often excludes patients from rural or underserved areas, limiting participant diversity and reducing the generalizability of study results. Dermatological assessments typically depend on subjective visual scoring, which can vary significantly between investigators, introducing inconsistency and bias into the data.
The chronic and fluctuating nature of skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis adds further burden, often leading to high dropout rates during long-term follow-up phases. Additionally, global trials face increasing regulatory complexities surrounding data privacy, image confidentiality, and the cross-border use of telehealth platforms. One recent psoriasis trial suffered setbacks due to inconsistent photographic submissions from remote sites and high participant attrition, delaying completion and compromising data integrity (Miranda Schmalfuhs, 2025).
In response, digital technologies are transforming the design and execution of dermatology trials. Remote eConsent platforms enable patients to review and sign consent forms from the comfort of their own homes, while automated eligibility screening minimizes errors and accelerates recruitment. Mobile-based electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs) and electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePROs) enable patients to report symptoms and treatment responses in real-time, thereby enhancing data richness and reducing site dependency.
AI-powered imaging solutions can standardize lesion assessments using high-resolution, patient-submitted photos, improving objectivity across study sites. Teledermatology tools enable remote investigator evaluations through secure video consultations and photo uploads, significantly reducing the need for in-person visits and improving patient retention.
Moreover, personalized trial designs incorporating genomic and microbiome data are helping sponsors select more targeted patient cohorts, especially for precision skincare and immunodermatology. Integrated electronic data capture (EDC) systems ensure seamless synchronization between ePRO, eCOA, and clinical endpoints, supporting audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
Major sponsors such as Arcutis Biotherapeutics (Arcutis Biotherapeutics, 2025), Eli Lilly (Lilly Trials, 2025), Incyte (Incyte, 2025), Galderma (Galderma, 2025), and Scancell (Scancell, 2025)are expanding clinical research across a range of disease-driven indications, including seborrheic dermatitis, vitiligo, plaque psoriasis, rosacea, and oncology-linked skin conditions. These companies are actively embracing hybrid and decentralized models, using digital tools such as eCOA, eConsent, and AI-supported assessments to enhance trial efficiency, improve patient accessibility, and ensure high-quality data collection.
Cosmetic and consumer health leaders, such as Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal, and Beiersdorf, are investing in dermatology trials focused on aesthetic and microbiome-driven innovations (The Business of Business, 2025). These include anti-aging, skin tone modulation, and personalized skincare backed by genomic insights and digital-first platforms. These sponsors are similarly leveraging digital trial solutions to validate cosmetic claims, optimize user engagement, and streamline remote data capture.
Meanwhile, a new wave of startups and digital-first biotech firms is reshaping the trial landscape with more agile, tech-enabled approaches. These innovators are early adopters of decentralized trial platforms and are leading advances in microbiome-based dermatology, digital engagement, and remote data capture. By reducing site burden, improving patient convenience, and capturing high-resolution real-world evidence, they are helping to modernize dermatology research from the ground up.
Together, this blend of legacy leaders and innovative newcomers is accelerating the future of dermatology clinical trials, making them more inclusive, efficient, and aligned with the digital era.
Navigating Challenges: Ensuring Quality and Consistency in Digital Dermatology Trials
Digital clinical trials offer significant advantages, improved access, flexibility, and real-time data collection, but they also present unique challenges, especially in dermatology, where visual assessment is critical. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure accurate, consistent, and meaningful trial outcomes.
A significant concern is the variability in patient-submitted photos. Differences in lighting, angle, device type, and resolution can significantly impact image quality and the accuracy of skin assessments. Establishing clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is crucial for guiding patients in capturing consistent, high-quality images. This includes recommendations for optimal lighting conditions, positioning, background, and the use of specific mobile apps or calibration tools to enhance standardization.
Another key area is the use of eConsent platforms. These tools can streamline enrollment and improve patient understanding of study protocols. Still, they must be designed with clarity, accessibility, and digital literacy in mind to ensure all participants can make informed decisions comfortably.
However, challenges extend beyond eConsent. For example, technological disparities and digital literacy gaps can limit participation or data quality, particularly among underserved populations. Patients may lack access to smartphones, reliable internet, or the confidence to use digital tools, which could potentially introduce bias into the study sample.
Additionally, skin tone representation remains an ongoing issue. Many AI and visual assessment tools are less accurate for individuals with darker skin tones if not trained on diverse datasets, which can lead to misdiagnosis or underreporting. Trials must be designed to account for and mitigate these disparities through inclusive recruitment and robust validation practices.
Remote symptom monitoring also presents challenges, especially for conditions that fluctuate over time, such as eczema or psoriasis. Without regular, guided input, symptom reporting can become inconsistent. Providing patient training, support, and simple digital tools (e.g., symptom diaries or app reminders) can improve engagement and data reliability.
Lastly, inter-rater variability in remote assessments and differences in how clinicians interpret images can further challenge data consistency. Centralized reading or AI-assisted scoring, coupled with expert review, can help mitigate this issue.
While digital dermatology trials hold great promise, realizing their full potential requires a holistic approach to addressing operational, technical, and equity-related challenges. With thoughtful design and proactive support, these trials can deliver high-quality, inclusive, and impactful results.
How Jeeva Clinical Trials Supports the Digital Dermatology Future
At Jeeva Clinical Trials, we understand the wide-ranging needs of dermatology research, from rare and complex conditions like epidermolysis bullosa to high-volume cosmetic and microbiome-driven studies. Our unified, regulatory-compliant platform integrates remote patient monitoring, electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOA), and eConsent into a seamless, intuitive system.
Unlike fragmented solutions that require stitching together disparate tools, Jeeva offers an all-in-one platform that reduces the burden on sites and patients, improves compliance, and saves valuable time, without compromising data quality. This is especially important in dermatology, where consistency in symptom tracking, imaging, and patient engagement is essential.
We also support decentralized and hybrid trial designs to expand patient access and improve recruitment diversity. Our team helps sponsors implement rigorous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, regulatory readiness, and trial integrity.
As part of our commitment to advancing dermatology research, we are currently collaborating with Taxa Technologies to enable digital clinical trials in microbiome-focused dermatology. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of scientifically validated, personalized skincare products by combining Jeeva’s digital infrastructure with Taxa’s innovation in microbiome science.
With Jeeva, sponsors can confidently embrace the future of digital dermatology, bringing breakthrough treatments to patients with greater efficiency and inclusivity.
Final Thought: Digital Dermatology Is Just Beginning
The skin is our largest organ and one of the most visible manifestations of health and disease. Clinical trials in dermatology should reflect that same visibility, transparency, and accessibility.
By thoughtfully and collaboratively embracing digital transformation, we can not only speed up dermatologic discoveries but also democratize access to innovation, reaching every patient, no matter where they are.
As we look ahead, the dermatology trials of the future will not be defined by clinic walls but by the connective tissue of data, technology, and human-centered design.
Also Read: Adaptable Subscription Options for Every Research Need: Explore Jeeva’s Flexibility
References
- Arcutis Biotherapeutics. (2025). Arcutis to Highlight Data from Phase 3 Trials for Scalp and Body Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis at the 83rd American Academy of Dermatology Meeting – Arcutis Biotherapeutics. https://www.arcutis.com/arcutis-to-highlight-data-from-phase-3-trials-for-scalp-and-body-psoriasis-and-atopic-dermatitis-at-the-83rd-american-academy-of-dermatology-meeting/
- ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=skin
- Dermatology Nurses Association. (2025, March 21). Support the WHA 2025 Resolution on Skin Diseases! – Dermatology Nurses’ Association – A Professional Nurses Association. https://www.dnanurse.org/wha2025/
- Galderma. (2025). OUR BRANDS | Galderma. https://www.galderma.com/our-brands
- Incyte. (2025). Incyte Announces Positive Topline Results from Phase 3 Trial Evaluating Ruxolitinib Cream (Opzelura®) in Children with Atopic Dermatitis | Incyte. https://investor.incyte.com/news-releases/news-release-details/incyte-announces-positive-topline-results-phase-3-trial
- Lilly Trials. (2025). Lilly Dermatology Clinical Trials | Skin Disorder Research. https://trials.lilly.com/en-US/research-areas/immunology/dermatology#about-our-research-dermatology
- Miranda Schmalfuhs. (2025, April 9). Barriers in Achieving Representative Psoriasis Clinical Trials. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/barriers-achieving-representative-psoriasis-clinical-trials
- The Business of Business. (2025). These 13 companies own your entire beauty regimen | The Business of Business. https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/beauty-conglomerates-loreal-revlon-coty-estee-lauder-data/