How far has NGID progressed? Which scientific breakthroughs have changed the field? And, perhaps even more importantly, which questions still need to be answered?

These were the central questions during the interactive Back to the Future session at the NGID Annual Day. The collaborating patient organisations invited researchers, clinicians, PhD candidates and other stakeholders to reflect together on where NGID stands today—and where it should go next.

At the halfway point of the programme, the emphasis was not on celebrating achievements alone, but on asking whether NGID is answering the questions that matter most to people living with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

As the opening message stated:

Every breakthrough starts with a good question.

Five key takeaways

1. Patients ask the questions that matter
   Patients highlighted questions that go beyond biology alone: Why did I develop this disease? Why does treatment work for some people but not others? Can flare-ups be predicted? What role does lifestyle play? These are scientific questions—but also life questions.
2. Innovation has transformed dermatology
   Participants identified biologics, omics, technology, personalised medicine and multidisciplinary collaboration as the developments that have had the greatest impact on research and care.
3. NGID is making progress
   The audience recognised clear advances, particularly in ultra-high-resolution skin characterisation and translational disease models. Biomarker identification and data integration were seen as important priorities for the second half of the programme.
4. Looking ahead: prevention and cure
   When participants were asked what research should focus on next, the discussion shifted from understanding disease towards preventing disease, modifying its course and ultimately achieving a cure.
5. Collaboration remains the key
   No single discipline will answer tomorrow's research questions. Participants emphasised the importance of collaboration between researchers, clinicians, patients, technology developers, funding organisations and international partners.

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During the session, participants contributed through a series of interactive Mentimeter questions. The results provide an interesting picture of both the achievements so far and the ambitions for the future.

➡ Which innovations changed dermatology?
An overview of the technological and scientific developments that participants believe have transformed research and care.
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➡ How far has NGID progressed?
The audience assessed NGID's progress halfway through the programme and identified where further advances are still needed.
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➡ What research questions should NGID answer next?
From therapy response and biomarkers to prevention, disease modification and ultimately a cure.
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➡ What will it take?
Why collaboration, patient participation, sustainable funding and international partnerships were identified as the essential ingredients for future success.
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➡ How can patient organisations help you?
The participating patient organisations invite researchers to continue the conversation and explore new opportunities for collaboration throughout the remainder of the NGID programme.
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