Where alopecia areata treatment is heading

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing patchy or total hair loss. About 2% of people get it at some point. Three JAK pills (baricitinib, ritlecitinib, deuruxolitinib) are approved for severe disease; a fourth and pediatric approvals are next.

• 63studies open or running
• 11phase 3 trials
• 628papers published this year
• 15NIH-funded projects

1. Now

   Nov 2026

   Upadacitinib regrows hair in about halfHappened 55.0% regrew 80%+

   55.0% reached 80% scalp coverage on 30 mg vs 1.5% placebo; FDA application filed.

   55.0%: reached 80% or more scalp coverage on 30 mg, vs 1.5% with placebo.

   • UP-AA trials

   Treatment must continueHappened 80% relapsed off drug

   80% lost regrowth after stopping baricitinib; most regained it on restarting.

   80%: lost benefit after stopping, vs 7% who continued.

   • BRAVE-AA1 withdrawal study

2. 6 months

   by May 2027

   FDA decision on upadacitinibLikely

   AbbVie filed in April 2026; a decision would typically follow within about a year.

   • UP-AA trials

3. 12 months

   by Nov 2027

   Ritlecitinib for younger childrenPossible

   A Pfizer trial in children 6 to 12 finishes December 2026.

   • Ritlecitinib children trial

4. 3 years

   by late 2029

   JAK pills for children and teensPossible

   Baricitinib (595 children) and deuruxolitinib (355 adolescents) trials finish in 2028.

   • BRAVE-AA-PEDS
   • Deuruxolitinib adolescents

   A higher ritlecitinib dosePossible

   ALLEGRO-100 (674 people) tests 100 mg against 50 mg; due March 2028.

   • ALLEGRO-100

5. 5 years

   by late 2031

   Non-JAK treatmentsLong shot

   Bempikibart and other antibodies aim to help those who cannot take JAK pills.

   • SIGNAL-AA trial

The research paths

Borrowed from other conditions

Open to join now

• Severe, adults and adolescents

  Upadacitinib

  Phase 3 · 272 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• 12 and older

  Ritlecitinib 100 mg vs 50 mg

  Phase 3 · 148 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• Children 6 to 17

  Baricitinib

  Phase 3 · 127 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

• Adolescents

  Deuruxolitinib

  Phase 3 · 64 sites

  Locations and eligibility →

See every recruiting Alopecia areata trial →

When the trials finish

Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.

What just happened

Standard treatment today

• Few patchesSteroid injections into patches; strong steroid creams.
• ExtensiveContact immunotherapy, oral steroids short-term, or JAK pills.
• Severe (50%+ loss)Baricitinib, ritlecitinib (12+) or deuruxolitinib.

See Alopecia areata trials recruiting now →