From cutting-edge science to global collaboration this year’s congress set the bar higher than ever for the future of dermatology.
EADV Congress 2025: A Record-Breaking Gathering in Paris
Last month, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) hosted its annual congress in Paris, drawing over 20,000 dermatology healthcare and industry professionals – a record-breaking turnout for the event.
Held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, France’s largest exhibition centre, the congress served as a global platform for collaboration, education, and innovation in the field of dermatology and venereology.
This year’s congress placed a strong emphasis on global skin health and cutting-edge advances in dermatological research and treatment.
Discussions highlighted new strategies in managing chronic and complex skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, alopecia areata, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
Below are some of the key topics from the congress.
Early intervention and biologic therapies
A major theme was “Hit early, hit hard”, a shift in the psoriasis treatment paradigm. This approach focuses on inducing long-term remission by normalising tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) early in the disease process, rather than merely controlling symptoms.
Precision medicine in psoriasis
Advances in genetic endotyping (identifying patients based on specific genetic markers) are paving the way for personalised treatments. Novel oral therapies, including cytokine-inhibiting peptides and Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, are also in development.
JAK inhibitors in alopecia areata
Long-term data support the sustained efficacy of JAK inhibitors such as baricitinib for treating chronic and severe alopecia areata.
Emerging therapies in atopic dermatitis
Dual IL-4/IL-13 inhibition remains a cornerstone, but new targets such as IL-31 (for rapid itch relief) and OX40L (potential for longer-term remission) are gaining attention.
Hidradenitis suppurativa updates
Sessions focused on new biologic targets such as IL-17A and IL-17F, offering potential for improved clearance rates over traditional TNF-blockers. Experts also discussed the 2024 European Guidelines for HS, emphasising early treatment to prevent scarring and disease progression.
Global access and health equity
Notably, the addition of adalimumab and ustekinumab to the WHO Essential Medicines List was highlighted as a crucial step toward improving access to life-changing treatments in low-income countries.
Innovations in dermatologic science
Exciting advances were shared in the use of 3D bioprinting (bio-ink) to engineer patient-specific skin for surgical implantation, burn reconstruction, and training applications.
GLP-1 agonists and skin disease
A thought-provoking debate focused on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, primarily used for weight loss, and their anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects on skin diseases such as psoriasis and HS. Experts discussed both potential benefits and concerns, including carcinogenicity risks and long-term safety.
Global participation
The congress also saw strong international engagement, with an active Australian contingent and a global cohort of clinicians and researchers committed to advancing dermatological care worldwide.
The EADV Congress 2025 reinforced its position as a premier platform for scientific exchange, uniting clinicians, researchers, and industry leaders in their shared mission to transform patient outcomes in dermatology across the globe. For more information about the congress see here.
Dr Esther Hong is head of Royal North Shore’s Department of Dermatology, and director of St George Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centre and its Clinical Trials Unit, where she leads as Principal Investigator on a wide range of dermatology clinical trials across various disease indications and trial phases.
