Oral Options, TYK2 inhibitors, and Atopic Dermatitis Innovations, With Leon Kircik, MD

Oral therapies remain a major unmet need in atopic dermatitis, particularly for children, according to Leon Kircik, MD, who discussed the evolving treatment landscape and the data he is watching most closely with HCPLive at the 2026 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in Vienna, Austria.

In a second segment of his interview with the HCPLive team, Kircik, an investigator who runs a large clinical research center in Louisville, Kentucky, stepped back from his own phase 1b data on ENV-294 presented at EADV to address the field more broadly.¹

What Unmet Needs Remain in Atopic Dermatitis?

Kircik pointed out effective biologics are available, but many patients dislike injections. Because atopic dermatitis predominantly affects children, he argued, needle aversion creates a significant gap, and oral small molecules could help fill it.

He contrasted the current pace of development with the early days of psoriasis biologics roughly 2 decades ago, when progress was gradual. Psoriasis now has about 13 approved biologics alongside newer topical and oral options, while atopic dermatitis is advancing much faster across biologics, oral agents, and topicals at once. He cited recent topical additions, including a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor and tapinarof, as examples.

Kircik described patients and clinicians as fortunate to be practicing in this era. He noted so many trials are running at his Louisville site he is close to running out of eligible patients.

Although he has long championed the role of vehicle formulation, a concept he has trademarked as Vehicles Matter, Kircik said truly new molecules bring a different level of excitement to the field.

Which Emerging Therapies is Kircik Watching?

Among the data he anticipated at EADV, Kircik highlighted newer tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors, which he said differ from agents already on the market. He noted small molecule options in psoriasis have lagged behind biologics but are steadily catching up.

He also pointed to a first-in-class agent acting on the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor complex, which he identified as rezpegaldesleukin. Kircik took part in the original atopic dermatitis study of the agent, which is now also being evaluated in alopecia areata.

Beyond psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, he identified alopecia areata and vitiligo as areas of substantial remaining need and growing research activity.

Why Does EADV Matter to US Dermatologists?

Kircik described EADV as a distinctive meeting for connecting with European and global colleagues. Differences in health care systems and treatment access outside the US shape how clinicians manage disease, he explained, and he values learning from those approaches.

He added Vienna, which has hosted EADV before, remains a welcome setting for the congress.

Editor's Note: This summary has been edited for grammar and clarity using artificial intelligence tools. Kircik is disclosed as an investigator receiving grants/research funding from Enveda Biosciences.

References

1. Kircik L, et al. ENV-294, a first-in-class oral Rac2 modulator, demonstrates deep, durable efficacy with a favorable safety profile in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: results from a phase 1b open-label study. Presented at: 2026 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress; September 30-October 3, 2026; Vienna, Austria.