GRAPPA Collaborative Research Network (CRN)

Friday & Saturday Morning Sessions | GRAPPA Annual Meeting

The GRAPPA Collaborative Research Network (CRN) sessions are structured, working forums designed to advance methodologic rigor and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration in psoriatic disease research.

Held each morning during the Annual Meeting, these interactive sessions bring together investigators, imaging experts, clinical trialists, and industry scientists to address high-priority research challenges through focused, small-group dialogue.

Each day begins with brief framing perspectives from a GRAPPA Research Committee member and an industry representative, followed by structured breakout discussions in tables of 8–10 participants. Groups will address targeted, high-level research questions, with moderated synthesis and report-back to the full assembly to consolidate key insights and proposed approaches.

Day 1: Designing Clinical Studies Using Combination, Sequential, or Withdrawal Strategies

This session examines evolving therapeutic study architectures in psoriatic disease, including combination biologic strategies, treatment sequencing, tapering, and withdrawal designs. Discussion will focus on methodological rigor, safety considerations, endpoint selection, and implications for regulatory acceptance and real-world translation.

Day 2: Integration of Imaging in Clinical Studies

This session addresses the expanding role of imaging—particularly musculoskeletal ultrasound—in clinical research. Participants will explore imaging as a biomarker, outcome measure, and mechanistic tool, with attention to standardization, scoring systems, reliability, and implementation in multicenter trials.

Learning Objectives

By participating in the CRN sessions, attendees will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate trial designs incorporating combination, sequential, and de-escalation strategies in psoriatic disease.

2. Identify methodological and regulatory considerations relevant to complex therapeutic study designs.

3. Assess the appropriate role of imaging modalities, including ultrasound, as endpoints or biomarkers in clinical trials.

4. Recognize challenges related to imaging standardization, validation, and multicenter implementation.

5. Contribute to collaborative, consensus-driven approaches to advancing psoriatic disease research.

Intended Outcomes

Participants will leave with:

• Enhanced understanding of innovative trial architectures in inflammatory disease.

• Practical frameworks for incorporating imaging into clinical study design.

• Greater cross-disciplinary alignment between dermatology, rheumatology, imaging science, and industry.

• New collaborative connections within the GRAPPA research community.

• Clearer identification of priority research gaps suitable for future GRAPPA-led initiatives.

Who Should Register

All registrants for CRN meetings will be expected to actively engage in small group discussions and participate in voting exercises at the end of each session.

The CRN sessions are designed for:

• Rheumatologists and dermatologists engaged in clinical research

• GRAPPA PRPs

• Principal investigators and trial designers

• Early- and mid-career researchers seeking deeper methodological expertise

• Imaging specialists involved in psoriatic disease research

• Biostatisticians and clinical methodologists

• Industry medical affairs and clinical development professionals participating in psoriatic disease programs (limited to membership levels)

These sessions are best suited for participants who are actively involved in research or interested in contributing to future GRAPPA collaborative studies.