Thermo Fisher Scientific launches global CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry to advance real-world research

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., a global leader in serving science, has unveiled the international CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry, marking a significant milestone in the quest to understand and manage adolescent alopecia areata (AA). This registry is designed to bridge critical gaps in real-world, adolescent-specific data, focusing on the disease’s impact, treatment effectiveness, and safety profiles of newly approved therapies.

As the 12th independent registry under CorEvitas—part of the PPD™ clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific—the initiative complements an existing registry for adult AA launched in 2023. This adolescent-focused registry has commenced operations in both Europe and the United States, with the first patient enrolled in Europe and another in North America in late 2024. The registry operates under the scientific advisory of leading dermatology experts, including Dr. Britt Craiglow from Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Maryanne Senna from Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Brett King from Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut.

What is the purpose of the CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry?

The primary goal of the CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry is to generate comprehensive, real-world data that can shed light on the progression of alopecia areata in adolescents. This includes understanding the effectiveness and safety of emerging treatments, medication usage patterns, and the incidence of safety-related events. The registry also captures critical information about the natural history of AA in young patients, tracking their growth and development over time as they undergo various therapies.

While alopecia areata can affect individuals of all ages, its onset often occurs during adolescence—a period marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. By focusing on this demographic, the registry aims to provide valuable insights into how AA uniquely affects younger patients compared to adults.

Why is real-world data important for adolescent alopecia areata?

Real-world data plays a pivotal role in medical research, especially for conditions like alopecia areata, where clinical trial data may not fully capture the complexities of everyday patient experiences. The international CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry is designed to fill this knowledge gap by collecting data from diverse clinical settings across Europe and the United States.

“This first-of-its-kind registry will offer researchers concrete, real-world evidence on the health status and treatment patterns of adolescent AA patients,” said Dr. Peter Wahl, Global Head of Scientific Affairs at CorEvitas clinical research, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “It will help contextualize the effectiveness and safety of newly approved treatments, allowing for a deeper understanding of how therapies perform outside controlled clinical environments.”

Such data is invaluable for clinicians and policymakers, as it can inform treatment guidelines, influence healthcare decisions, and support regulatory submissions for new therapies. Moreover, it helps identify potential safety concerns that might not surface during clinical trials, particularly when therapies are used in broader patient populations.

How does alopecia areata affect adolescents differently?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition estimated to affect around 2% of the global population, translating to approximately 160 million people worldwide. While the condition can develop at any age, it often first appears during childhood or adolescence. In addition to hair loss—which can occur in patches or lead to complete baldness—AA may cause nail pitting and is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.

For adolescents, the psychological and social impacts of AA can be profound. Hair loss during these formative years can severely affect self-esteem, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Some young patients may withdraw from social activities, struggle academically, or experience difficulties in peer relationships. The CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry seeks to capture not just clinical data but also insights into the broader psychosocial effects of the condition, providing a holistic view of its impact on young lives.

How will the registry improve treatment outcomes?

By systematically collecting longitudinal data on adolescent AA patients, the registry will enable researchers to identify trends and patterns that can inform clinical practice. This includes understanding how different treatments perform in real-world settings, how patients respond over time, and which therapies offer the best balance of effectiveness and safety.

The registry’s findings could also accelerate the development of new treatments. Pharmaceutical companies can use the data to support drug development programs, regulatory submissions, and post-marketing surveillance activities. For clinicians, access to robust, real-world evidence can guide treatment decisions, helping them tailor therapies to meet the unique needs of adolescent patients.

Furthermore, the registry’s data may contribute to the development of clinical guidelines and best practices, promoting more consistent and effective care for AA patients worldwide.

The future of autoimmune disease research with CorEvitas

CorEvitas, a leader in autoimmune and inflammatory disease registries, has a proven track record of delivering high-quality, regulatory-grade clinical data. With more than 500 investigator sites and over 100,000 patients followed longitudinally, CorEvitas’ registries have been widely accepted by regulatory agencies for long-term post-authorization safety studies.

The launch of the international CorEvitas adolescent alopecia areata registry represents a significant advancement in the field of autoimmune disease research. As data collection progresses, it will provide critical insights that can improve the lives of adolescents living with AA, inform public health strategies, and support the development of safer, more effective treatments.

By addressing the unmet need for adolescent-specific data, Thermo Fisher Scientific is paving the way for a deeper understanding of AA and its impact, ultimately fostering better outcomes for young patients around the world.