While skin conditions are often visible, their burden can extend far beyond the skin. At any given time, almost one in three people struggle with recurrent skin problems, affecting individuals of all ages1. These conditions can flare shortly or persist for a lifetime, causing significant physical, psychological, and social challenges that can disrupt daily life and well-being. The skin, the body’s largest organ, plays crucial roles in protection, thermoregulation, and sensory perception. Despite their importance, skin diseases are often underrecognized.
LEO Pharma is here to make a fundamental difference in medical dermatology, and we are dedicated to all people living with a skin conditions and to the healthcare community that treats them.
The impact of skin diseases is not limited to the individual; they can strain families, communities, workplaces, and healthcare systems. These conditions can impair daily functioning, lead to absenteeism, and force changes in life plans or career trajectories. Patients may experience social isolation, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, with the emotional burden often as debilitating as the physical symptoms. Stress, a known trigger, can worsen both mental health and disease severity.
The psychosocial effects can be particularly severe in vulnerable populations. Children may face bullying and social exclusion2, adolescents’ self-esteem problems, while adults may encounter workplace discrimination3, limited career opportunities, and strained relationships. The visible nature of these conditions can leave patients exposed to stigma and misunderstanding, compounding their challenges.
Many skin conditions are also linked to systemic comorbidities, underscoring their complexity4. Effective care requires addressing both the physical manifestations and broader systemic impacts
A holistic, multidisciplinary approach can be essential—one that treats not just the condition, but the whole patient whether that involves the mental health or comorbidities. By addressing physical, psychological, and social dimensions, we can improve health outcomes, minimize dignity, and enhance quality of life for those affected and our societies.
Expanding the Dermatological Armamentarium to Look Beyond the Symptoms
Medical dermatology is undergoing a paradigm shift in recent years, driven by advancements in immunology, molecular biology, and translational medicine, alongside a growing recognition of the link between physical and mental health issues.
Historically, traditional therapies have been a necessity of dermatological care, offering symptom relief for patients. However, numerous skin conditions remain without adequate treatment options, leaving significant gaps in care.
Today, advanced systemics have truly revolutionized dermatological care by targeting specific molecular pathways across many diseases.
These therapies not only improve patient outcomes, but also reduce healthcare burdens by decreasing hospitalizations and long-term complications. Patients experiencing both physical and psychological improvements are more likely to be productive, engage socially, and contribute to their communities, highlighting the broader societal impact of effective dermatological care.
The route of administration plays a critical role in ensuring effective and patient-centered dermatological care. Different skin conditions and patient needs require tailored approaches to maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing inconvenience or discomfort5,6. For localized skin diseases, topical treatments are often the preferred choice, as they deliver medication directly to the affected area, with the potential for minimizing systemic exposure and as well as side effects5.
However, for conditions involving the scalp or hair, formulations like foams or sprays may be more practical and effective than creams or ointments, as they are easier to apply and absorb better in such areas 7.
Systemic treatments, such as oral medications, offer the advantage of convenience, particularly for patients who prefer not to use topical applications or for those with widespread or severe conditions. Oral therapies may also be preferred for individuals who may have needle phobia, as well as children, providing a non-invasive alternative to injectable treatments 7.
Biologic therapies have revolutionized the management of many chronic and severe skin diseases. While injections may initially seem less convenient, the prolonged dosing intervals of many biologics – ranging from weeks to months – can significantly reduce the treatment burden for patients, offering a balance of efficacy and convenience6.
Ultimately, the choice of route of administration should align with the patient’s clinical needs, lifestyle, and preferences. By offering a diverse range of formulations and delivery methods, we can ensure that patients receive treatments that are not only effective but also practical and acceptable, improving adherence and overall outcomes.
LEO Pharma has been at the forefront of innovation in medical dermatology, building the broadest global portfolio of treatments within medical dermatology, and we have driven progress across several major therapeutic milestone to the benefit of patients. Today, LEO Pharma reaches nearly 100 million patients globally, and we view it as a priority to give access to treatments across all continents.
Despite advancements, significant unmet medical needs remain, particularly for some of the hundreds of rare conditions that exists in dermatology and where the burden of disease is high8.
When a disease lacks effective treatment, patients face prolonged suffering, reduced quality of life, and increased psychological and social burdens. This not only impacts individuals but also strains healthcare systems and society, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions.
Therefore, dermatologists and their patients require an expanded armamentarium to address diverse needs, sometimes necessitating a personalized approach to treatment.
Dermatology is no longer solely about treating the skin; it is about treating the whole person. Dermatologists play a pivotal role in this paradigm shift. By addressing both the visible and invisible aspects of skin diseases, they can improve not only physical health but also dignity, self-esteem, and quality of life.
Expanding therapeutic options ensures that care is tailored to each patient’s unique clinical profile. LEO Pharma has an ambition to identify, progress and trial treatments for patients together with scientists and dermatologists, and central to our strategy is an innovation model built on collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and patient organizations, where we invite others to join us in creating impact in, on and far beyond the skin.
By integrating expertise from diverse fields, we develop scientifically robust and clinically practical therapies. Working closely with dermatologists and patients, we aim to create next-generation treatments that improve both symptoms and overall quality of life.
Good is simply not good enough
Many skin diseases still lack adequate treatments, and incremental progress is unambitious on behalf of patients. At LEO Pharma, we strive to push the boundaries of science and medicine to deliver transformative solutions that address both clinical aspects and patient perspectives. Innovative solutions are key to improving quality of life for people suffering from skin disease.
Looking back just 25 years, the approach to managing a condition like psoriasis highlights a significant paradigm shift in dermatology. At that time, achieving complete skin clearance was considered an unrealistic ambition. Today, breakthroughs in treatment options mean that complete skin clearance is now within reach for a considerable proportion of patients with psoriasis.
This is the mindset LEO Pharma aim to extend to other dermatological conditions. We strive for a first-class standard of care for patients – in conditions with existing treatments that can be improved, as well as those that currently lack effective options.
Our approach goes beyond addressing the rash, the itching, and the pain. We aim to understand the full impact of skin diseases on patients’ lives, including the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of these conditions.
At LEO Pharma, we recognize that our success and the well-being of millions depend on our ability to get treatments faster to the healthcare community. It is also important to focus our attention where we can make a fundamental difference.
We believe that innovation requires collaboration, and with rapid advancements in treatments, we are committed to partnering across pharma, biotech, academia, healthcare, businesses and patient groups. It is in this intersection that we together find innovative answers for unmet needs. Advances in research are uncovering genetic, environmental, and microbiome factors, paving the way for innovative treatments and more precise diagnoses. This Nature Outlook explores the biology of skin and the challenges of skin diseases. The support thereof is a testament of our enduring commitment to dermatology.
Together with healthcare leaders, scientific collaborators, and patient advocates, we constantly seek to advance innovation in skin health with the outside world to create meaningful impact far beyond the skin.
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