Our expertise in dermatology and inflammatory diseases
Parexel’s Dermatology CRO Services combine deep therapeutic expertise and patient-centered insight to advance clinical trials for dermatologic and inflammatory disorders, including pediatric populations. Creating the right environment for patients and understanding their motivations, especially in early-phase studies, is intrinsic to our work. They know better than anyone the range of physical, emotional, and financial burdens they experience, as well as the frustrating search for effective relief.
Atopic dermatitis clinical trials
For people affected by atopic dermatitis – those afflicted by this debilitating condition as well as their families – the high volume of active research for treatments is encouraging and reassuring. Researchers, however, face a very different challenge: intense competition. Globally, more than 150 industry-sponsored, Phase I-IV interventional studies focused on atopic dermatitis ( eczema) are currently open and planned, all recruiting adults or adults combined with children. Moreover, these trials are especially complex because of the nature of the disease and the subjectivity of endpoints assessments. Securing data quality must be a top priority, as well as ensuring adherence and commitment to the trial through proper scheduling and patient comfort. There is simply no substitute for experience in this area.
The Parexel team has gained deep operational knowledge from the successful delivery of 69 global trials for atopic dermatitis in the past 5 years, including first-in-class biologic approval. We provide a blueprint for achieving trial objectives via a profound understanding of the patient experience, proven site-activation strategies, and real-time data-driven monitoring.
We target sites that are top enrollers and express interest in early-phase studies, even those of a short duration.
Our site selection strategy includes:
- Benchmarking analysis and historical data to identify enrollment trends in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis trials
- Leveraging established global site networks to select high-performing sites
- Applying robust feasibility and qualification processes to ensure trial success
Likewise, securing data quality requires an expert understanding of trial setup, oversight, and real-time monitoring to control rater consistency, screen-failure scores, attrition rates, and placebo response. All of this is crucial for accelerating timelines and demonstrating drug efficacy at the trial’s conclusion.
For a recent early-phase trial:
- We earned a 10/10 client satisfaction score for delivering full enrollment within one month of the site initiation visit, with the first patient screened on Day 1.
- We achieved >90% e-diary compliance across 6,000 patients using real-time alerts, bring your own device options, and continual oversight by clinical operations teams.
Parexel is uniquely positioned to support trials in atopic dermatitis a cross all phases. Our therapeutically aligned cross-functional operational teams, including project and clinical operations leaders, feasibility specialists, and biostatisticians, deliver integrated solutions from protocol design through database lock. These teams include more than 200 clinical research associates, each with more than 5 years of experience specifically in atopic dermatitis trials, and a team of Board-certified dermatologists in the EU, U.S., and Asia-Pacific regions.
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Frequently asked questions
A Dermatology CRO is a specialized clinical research organization that focuses on conducting and managing clinical trials specifically for dermatological conditions and treatments. These organizations provide expertise in skin disorders, cosmetic dermatology, and related therapeutic areas, offering services such as protocol development, patient recruitment, clinical monitoring, regulatory support, and data management tailored to dermatology studies.
Dermatology CROs bring specialized knowledge of skin disease pathophysiology, assessment scales (like PASI for psoriasis or EASI for eczema), imaging techniques, and biomarker analysis specific to dermatological research. Parexel understands the unique challenges of dermatology trials, such as the visual nature of endpoints, the need for standardized photography, and the importance of trained evaluators for consistent assessment of skin conditions across multiple research sites.
Parexel offers extensive experience in dermatology clinical research, combining therapeutic expertise with global operational capabilities to efficiently navigate the complexities of dermatological studies. Our specialized teams understand the nuanced endpoints, assessment scales, and imaging requirements unique to dermatology trials, while our established relationships with dermatology investigators and patient networks enable effective recruitment for even the most challenging skin conditions. Parexel's integrated technology solutions support standardized image capture, assessment, and data management critical for the visual nature of dermatology endpoints.
As a full-service CRO, Parexel provides end-to-end support from protocol development through regulatory submission, with particular strength in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape for dermatology products. Our track record of successful dermatology studies across various indications—from psoriasis and atopic dermatitis to acne and rare skin disorders—demonstrates our ability to deliver high-quality data while managing the specific challenges of dermatology research, such as seasonal variations in symptoms and the subjective nature of many assessments. Partnering with Parexel means gaining a collaborator with both the scientific understanding and operational excellence needed to bring dermatology treatments to market efficiently.
Parexel supports a comprehensive range of dermatologic conditions in clinical trials, spanning both common and rare skin disorders. Our expertise includes inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and acne vulgaris, as well as autoimmune disorders like vitiligo, alopecia areata, and cutaneous lupus. Parexel also conducts trials for infectious skin diseases, skin cancers (including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma), wound healing, scarring, and aesthetic dermatology treatments. Our experience extends to pediatric dermatology indications and rare dermatological diseases that require specialized knowledge and patient recruitment strategies.
Parexel addresses the unique challenges of dermatology clinical trials through specialized expertise and tailored solutions. We employ dermatology-trained clinicians who understand the nuances of visual assessments and disease-specific scoring systems (such as PASI, EASI, and IGA scales), ensuring consistent endpoint evaluation across sites. Our standardized imaging protocols and technologies enable objective documentation of skin conditions, while our global investigator network includes dermatologists experienced in clinical research. Parexel also implements strategic patient recruitment approaches that account for seasonal variations in skin conditions and utilizes patient-centric trial designs to enhance retention in longer-term studies.
Additionally, Parexel leverages regulatory expertise to navigate the evolving requirements for dermatology products, including guidance on patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life measures increasingly important in dermatology approvals. Our integrated data management systems are configured to handle the complex visual data characteristic of dermatology studies, while our biostatisticians are experienced in the specific analytical approaches needed for dermatology endpoints. By combining therapeutic knowledge with operational excellence, Parexel helps sponsors overcome common challenges such as subjective assessments, patient compliance with topical treatments, and the need to demonstrate both clinical efficacy and cosmetic improvement in many dermatologic conditions.