Pierre Fabre Laboratories is exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence to launch a new generation of clinical studies in dermo-cosmetics
19 February 2026
From 100 to 600 patients: to support patients suffering from acne, Avène, Pierre Fabre Laboratories’ leading brand, is strengthening the robustness of its clinical studies via data augmentation through Artificial Intelligence.
Toulouse, February 19, 2026 – Avène, the leading brand in French pharmacies*, in partnership with Toulouse-based HealthTech company BotDesign, has announced a major breakthrough in the field of clinical studies in dermo-cosmetics.
In 2026, Avène will conduct a comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of its new treatment for acne-prone skin, Avène Cleanance Comedomed+, in the maintenance phase following oral isotretinoin treatment in adults suffering from severe to very severe acne.
Avène is renowned for its dermatological expertise, inspired by therapeutic know-how, and has been committed to improving the treatment of skin pathologies since 1990. It is thus becoming the first brand to use Artificial Intelligence in clinical studies for dermo-cosmetics.
A pioneering clinical study
The clinical study conducted by Avène will include two groups of patients:
1. A group treated with Avène Cleanance Comedomed+ after isotretinoin.
2. A group receiving a placebo after isotretinoin.
Once the study has been carried out, the objective, in partnership with BotDesign, will be to artificially increase the number of patients, particularly in the placebo arm, in order to strengthen the statistical power and the robustness of the results.
The major innovation of this project lies in the application of artificial intelligence technologies that enable the generation of synthetic patient data and virtually increase the number of participants in both groups by up to 500 additional patients.
Methodology validated by the scientific community
This methodology for augmenting data using Artificial Intelligence was presented at the International Congress of Dermatology in Rome on June 19, 2025 and forms the subject of a scientific publication that is currently being drafted.
It will consolidate the robustness of the clinical study results, which will be presented in December 2026. This will pave the way for new innovations in the design and conduct of clinical studies in dermo-cosmetics.
A concrete illustration of Pierre Fabre Laboratories' “Supportive Care” strategy
This study is unique in two ways: due to its scientific ambition and because it fully aligns with the “supportive care” strategy of Pierre Fabre Laboratories, launched in 2025.
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. We are ideally positioned to offer treatment protocols based on the pathology, combining dermo-cosmetics with medication. 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. Because these are dermo-cosmetics, they can be used over the long term, unlike many drug treatments.
About the prevalence of acne:
According to the ALL study, the largest survey ever conducted in dermatology, launched at the end of 2022 by Pierre Fabre’s Medical Department with more than 50,000 people surveyed in 20 countries across five continents, almost half of the population over the age of 16 is affected by acne. For more information, visit: https://www.pierre-fabre.com/fr-fr/article/creation-projet-all-dermatologie
ABOUT Pierre Fabre LABORATORIES
About Eau Thermale Avène: https://www.eau-thermale-avene.fr/
Press contact
Caroline Perdrix Thomas
caroline.perdrix@pierre-fabre.com
*Source : GERS - SOG Early - Circuit Pharmacie - Définition Marché dermocosmétique établi par les laboratoires Pierre Fabre - Origine : Sell Out - Data CUF Décembre 2025 en volume (UN) et valeur (CATTC)