Pierre Fabre's Avène Pioneers AI-Enhanced Clinical Studies for Acne Treatment in Dermo-Cosmetics
Key Insights
Avène (search), Pierre Fabre Laboratories (search)' leading brand, has partnered with HealthTech company BotDesign (search) to become the first brand using artificial intelligence in dermo-cosmetics clinical studies.
The company will conduct a 2026 clinical study evaluating Avène Cleanance Comedomed+ (search) for maintenance therapy following oral isotretinoin treatment in adults with severe to very severe acne (search).
AI-powered data augmentation will expand the study from 100 to 600 patients, significantly strengthening the robustness of clinical evidence for the acne (search) treatment.
Avène (search), the leading brand in French pharmacies and flagship of Pierre Fabre Laboratories (search), has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Toulouse-based HealthTech company BotDesign (search) to revolutionize clinical studies in dermo-cosmetics through artificial intelligence. The collaboration marks the first use of AI in dermo-cosmetics clinical research, positioning Avène at the forefront of innovation in dermatological care.
AI-Powered Clinical Study Design
In 2026, Avène (search) will conduct a comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of its new treatment for acne (search)-prone skin, Avène Cleanance Comedomed+ (search), specifically in the maintenance phase following oral isotretinoin treatment in adults suffering from severe to very severe acne (search). The study represents a significant advancement in clinical methodology, utilizing AI-powered data augmentation to expand patient enrollment from 100 to 600 participants, thereby substantially strengthening the robustness of the clinical evidence.
The innovative approach addresses a critical need in acne (search) management, particularly for patients transitioning from intensive pharmaceutical treatments to long-term maintenance care. This patient population requires specialized therapeutic support to maintain treatment gains and prevent relapse.
Strategic Alignment with Supportive Care Initiative
The study exemplifies Pierre Fabre Laboratories (search)' "Supportive Care" strategy, launched in 2025, which leverages the company's dual expertise in pharmaceuticals and dermo-cosmetics. Dr. Gautier Doat, Eau Thermale Avène (search) Medical Director, emphasized the strategic positioning: "We belong to a group that has always been rooted in pharmaceuticals and dermo-cosmetics. Our medical expertise gives us a head start in understanding patients and their pathologies."
The supportive care approach aims to develop treatment protocols that combine dermo-cosmetics with medication, creating comprehensive therapeutic solutions. "We are already preparing solutions to go further, by developing dermo-cosmetic innovations capable of extending and amplifying the action of the medication or delaying its necessity," Dr. Doat explained.
Long-Term Treatment Advantages
The dermo-cosmetic approach offers distinct advantages over traditional pharmaceutical interventions, particularly in terms of long-term usability. "Because these are dermo-cosmetics, they can be used over the long term, unlike many drug treatments," Dr. Doat noted, highlighting the potential for sustained therapeutic benefit without the limitations typically associated with pharmaceutical treatments.
Avène (search)'s commitment to dermatological innovation spans over three decades, with the brand having dedicated itself to improving the treatment of skin pathologies since 1990. This extensive experience in therapeutic dermatology provides the foundation for the current AI-enhanced clinical research initiative.
Clinical Research Innovation
The partnership with BotDesign (search) represents a significant technological advancement in clinical study methodology for the dermo-cosmetics sector. By utilizing artificial intelligence for data augmentation, the study design can achieve greater statistical power and more robust clinical evidence while potentially reducing study duration and costs.
The focus on post-isotretinoin maintenance therapy addresses a specific and challenging clinical scenario. Patients who have completed oral isotretinoin treatment for severe acne (search) require ongoing care to maintain therapeutic benefits and prevent disease recurrence, making this study particularly relevant to dermatological practice.