Indero exhibited at the 83rd annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) May 13-16, 2026 in Chicago. Our Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, Jasmina Jankicevic, co-chaired the Future Leaders Retreat at SID 2026, and was on the Education Committee that organized this year’s SID. Among other Indero employees at SID 2026, was Julie Basque, Senior Clinical Scientist, who reflects here on her experience.
SID 2026 was a great snapshot of how quickly dermatology is evolving, with a strong emphasis on immunology-driven diseases, precision medicine, and translational research. One theme that really stood out was the strong presence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) across multiple sessions, highlighting the growing focus on its pathogenesis, significant unmet needs, and an increasingly dynamic therapeutic landscape.
The session, Translational Studies: Pre-Clinical, provided interesting insights into novel therapeutic targets and mechanisms. The discussion on approaches beyond traditional Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as selective STAT and OX40 pathway modulation, was particularly compelling, and highlighted potential opportunities for improved efficacy and safety in early phase & translational research.
The session, Clinical Trials and Tribulations, was a practical and relevant session for me as a Senior Clinical Scientist at Indero. The session included a presentation by Dr. Ayman Grada, Senior Medical Director for US Medical Affairs Dermatology at AbbVie (shown here) and focused on lessons learned from clinical trial design and execution, including common causes of late-stage trial failure and the importance of selecting robust endpoints. Dr. Grada also discussed strategies to reducing placebo response especially relevant to our work.
Late-Breaking Abstracts showcased new therapeutic targets, including an ITK inhibitor, a STAT6 degrader and an IL-18 antibody, and early clinical signals that could quickly influence future research directions and treatment approaches. I enjoy seeing where the dermatology industry is heading.
Being at SID 2026 allowed me to identify new opportunities for collaboration and future research, connect with Indero clients to strengthen relationships and discuss ongoing and upcoming projects and, of course, stay up to date on the latest scientific advances in dermatology. It’s a fast-moving, exciting industry!
About the Author
Julie Basque is a Senior Clinical Scientist at Indero, with more than 15 years’ experience in clinical research, bringing extensive expertise in clinical research and drug development. Throughout her career, Julie has held various pivotal roles, including Senior Clinical Scientist, Clinical Research Scientist, and Clinical Study Manager. Her comprehensive experience spans across multiple facets of clinical research, making her an asset to Indero. Julie’s skill set is diverse and includes proficiency in scientific and regulatory affairs, study design, protocol and clinical study report development, pharmacology, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and drug development. Her work within Contract Research Organizations (CROs) has further honed her expertise, enabling her to contribute significantly to the advancement of clinical studies and therapeutic innovations.
