Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that causes skin depigmentation, has seen exciting advancements in treatment research. This post, inspired by Yan Valle’s insights from the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Congress in Orlando, FL, explores ongoing clinical trials, their goals, and potential breakthroughs.

For a primer on clinical trials,

• Check out Clinical Trials: An Important Step in Drug Development,
• Listen to Podcast Episode 25 Inside Vitiligo Clinical Trials: Why, What and How?

 and for more details on running studies, visit our Clinical Trials page.

Ongoing Studies

• Vitiligo Treatment Experience Study ( 🇺🇸 USA only) by LDA Research. Share insights about treatment experiences in a 60 minute online conversation to improve future care strategies and earn up to $100. 
• Vitiligo Biosample Collection Study ( 🇺🇸 USA only) by Sanguine Biosciences. Support research by providing a one-time blood donation from the comfort of your own home. As a thank you for participating, you will receive up to a $100 prepaid gift card.
• Vitiligo Life Experience Study ( 🇩🇪 Germany only) by Survey Engine. Go through a 40-min, no-obligation, virtual interview to receive €20 and additional €35 for doctor's note.

Select Ongoing Trials

Afamelanotide (Scenesse) – Phase 3

• Sponsor: CLINUVEL Pharmaceuticals
• Objective: Assess the effectiveness of afamelanotide combined with phototherapy for nonsegmental vitiligo.
• Mechanism: Afamelanotide stimulates melanin production by activating melanocortin-1 receptors.
• Recruitment status: Actively recruiting across multiple U.S. sites.
• Significance: This trial explores a combination approach that could significantly enhance repigmentation.

Tranquillo 2 Study – Phase 3

• Sponsor: Pfizer
• Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of an oral medication for nonsegmental vitiligo.
• Eligibility: Participants aged 18+ with active or stable vitiligo affecting the face and body.
• Study details: A placebo-controlled trial lasting up to 26 months, requiring up to 17 visits per participant.
• Potential impact: If successful, this could become the first FDA-approved oral treatment for vitiligo.

Deucravacitinib – Phase 3

• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice
• Objective: Assess deucravacitinib, a TYK2 inhibitor, for halting depigmentation and promoting repigmentation.
• Study design: Participants receive deucravacitinib or a placebo for 24 weeks before re-randomization to test its combination with NB-UVB therapy.
• Significance: TYK2 inhibitors have shown promise in other autoimmune conditions like psoriasis, making this trial particularly noteworthy.

Repibresib Gel (VYN201) – Phase 2b

• Sponsor: VYNE Therapeutics
• Objective: Assess the efficacy and safety of repibresib gel for nonsegmental vitiligo.
• Study design: A randomized, double-blind trial with 180 participants testing three concentrations of the gel (1%, 2%, 3%) compared to a placebo. The primary goal is achieving a ≥50% improvement in the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (F-VASI50) at week 24.
• Therapeutic potential: This localized anti-inflammatory treatment minimizes systemic exposure while targeting specific pathways.
• Results are expected in mid-2025.

ANIFROLUMAB with Phototherapy – Phase 2

• Sponsor: University Hospital of Bordeaux
• Objective: Compare ANIFROLUMAB (an intravenous immunomodulator) combined with narrowband UVB phototherapy versus phototherapy alone.
• Study design: A randomized trial with monthly infusions and bi-weekly phototherapy sessions over 36 weeks.
• Focus: Investigating whether combining systemic immunomodulation with phototherapy improves outcomes.

Why Participate in Clinical Trials?

• Joining a clinical trial comes with several benefits:
• Access to cutting-edge treatments before they become widely available.
• The opportunity to contribute to medical advancements that could benefit future patients.
• Close monitoring by healthcare professionals throughout the study.

If you’re interested in being part of the future of vitiligo treatment, talk to your doctor or check our listing of Clinical Trials 

Suggested reading:

• Clinical Trials: An Important Step in Drug Development
• Vitiligo Drug Pipeline Analysis and Market Insights
• Vitiligo Patient Journey Map