The Lichen Planus market, estimated to be valued at USD 161.8 Million in 2025, is expected to register a robust CAGR of 7.8%, reaching USD 273.7 Million by 2032.

Market growth is primarily driven by increasing awareness and diagnosis of autoimmune and inflammatory skin conditions, alongside growing demand for targeted dermatological therapies. Advancements in topical corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic treatments are enhancing patient outcomes and expanding therapeutic options. Furthermore, rising healthcare expenditure, improved access to dermatology care, and ongoing clinical trials exploring novel treatment approaches are expected to accelerate the market expansion across both developed and emerging regions during the forecast period.

Market Takeaways

• By Type, the Cutaneous Lichen Planus segment is projected to dominate the Lichen Planus market with a 50.0% share in 2025, driven by its relatively higher prevalence compared to other subtypes, along with increased diagnosis rates and patient visits for visible skin manifestations.
• By Treatment, Topical Corticosteroids are expected to lead the market with a 35.0% share in 2025, attributed to their role as the first-line treatment for managing inflammation and pruritus in both cutaneous and mucosal forms of the disease.
• By End User, the Dermatology Clinics segment is projected to account for the largest share in 2025, owing to the rising preference for specialized skin care centers equipped to manage chronic dermatologic autoimmune conditions with tailored treatment regimens.
• By region, North America is expected to hold the largest market share in 2025, supported by advanced healthcare infrastructure, growing awareness of lichen planus, and ongoing clinical research on emerging therapies and diagnostics.

Lichen Planus Market Report Coverage

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Market Dynamics

The Lichen Planus market is witnessing steady expansion, primarily driven by the rising prevalence of autoimmune and inflammatory skin disorders, increased awareness among patients and healthcare providers, and advancements in dermatological care. Improved diagnostic capabilities and the availability of targeted treatment options—especially topical and systemic corticosteroids—are facilitating early intervention and symptom management, thereby fueling the market growth.

Growing investments in dermatology research and development are leading to innovations in immunomodulators, biologics, and phototherapy techniques, aimed at improving efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Additionally, the increasing incidence of oral and genital lichen planus, often associated with stress and viral infections, is encouraging the need for multidisciplinary treatment approaches and long-term disease monitoring.

The market is also benefiting from the expansion of dermatology clinics and specialty centers, particularly in urban areas, offering personalized care and access to emerging therapies. Technological integration in diagnostics—such as dermoscopy, AI-powered image analysis, and molecular profiling—is further enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.

In January 2024, enrollment in a Phase II clinical trial of baricitinib (Olumiant), an oral JAK 1/2 inhibitor, demonstrated an 83% early and sustained clinical improvement in patients with cutaneous lichen planus treated over 16 weeks—with molecular analyses confirming rapid reduction of interferon signaling and pathogenic T‑cell populations.

Market Trends

• JAK Inhibitors Gaining Momentum as Precision Therapies for Refractory Lichen Planus

Between 2022 and 2025, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have gained traction as a targeted treatment option for moderate to severe or treatment-resistant lichen planus. These agents, including baricitinib, upadacitinib, and ruxolitinib cream, have demonstrated marked clinical efficacy across cutaneous, oral, and nail variants, reflecting a shift toward precision immunomodulation and reduced reliance on systemic corticosteroids. In September 2023, a Mount Sinai case report highlighted the successful use of oral upadacitinib (15 mg daily) in a 46-year-old woman with biopsy-confirmed, therapy-resistant cutaneous LP, resulting in near-complete resolution after multiple prior treatment failures. This case exemplifies growing clinical confidence in JAK inhibitors as viable alternatives in managing chronic, relapsing forms of lichen planus.

• Increased Focus on Multidisciplinary and Personalized Care Models

Heightened awareness of the autoimmune, mucosal, psychological, and systemic dimensions of lichen planus is driving the adoption of multidisciplinary care strategies. These involve coordinated management by dermatologists, oral surgeons, dentists, gynecologists, and rheumatologists—particularly for complex cases such as oral-genital-cutaneous syndromes. This collaborative approach is reshaping treatment by supporting personalized care pathways based on histological findings, immunological markers, and patient-reported outcomes, thereby improving clinical effectiveness and long-term treatment adherence.

For instance, in September 2023, the Journal of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery published a case report addressing Vulvo‑Vaginal‑Gingival Syndrome (VVGS)—a rare, triple-site manifestation of lichen planus. The case was managed with contributions from dermatology and oral medicine specialists and included photodynamic therapy, custom tray-based topical steroid delivery, and enhanced oral hygiene protocols—highlighting a comprehensive, multidisciplinary intervention model in practice.

Market Opportunities

• Expansion of Biologic Therapies for Refractory Cases

There is a significant opportunity to develop and commercialize biologic therapies for patients with moderate-to-severe or treatment-resistant lichen planus. Current standard-of-care options (e.g., corticosteroids, immunosuppressants) often fall short in long-term disease control or safety. With the success of biologics in other chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, pharmaceutical companies can leverage similar mechanisms—such as IL-17, IL-23, or TNF-α inhibition—for LP. Ongoing clinical interest and unmet needs in mucosal and erosive variants further strengthen the case for innovation in this segment.

In March 2024, the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology published Oral Lichen Planus Successfully Treated With Upadacitinib, a case study that highlighted the successful treatment of erosive oral lichen planus with oral upadacitinib, achieving ~70% lesion improvement within just one month in a patient who had failed conventional therapies.

• AI-Powered Diagnostic and Monitoring Tools

The growing integration of AI in dermatology presents an untapped opportunity to enhance early detection, subtype differentiation (cutaneous vs. oral vs. genital), and treatment response monitoring in lichen planus. AI-driven dermoscopic and imaging tools can assist clinicians in diagnosing LP with greater precision and tracking progression or remission in chronic cases. Startups and digital health platforms can partner with dermatology networks to deploy smart diagnostic systems, particularly in underserved or remote markets with limited specialist access.

Analyst View – Lichen Planus Market

• The Lichen Planus market is undergoing a strategic shift toward precision immunotherapy, fueled by unmet needs in treatment-resistant subtypes and the promising efficacy of targeted agents like JAK inhibitors. A robust market expansion reflects heightened clinical awareness and therapeutic innovation, particularly in cutaneous and mucosal variants where disease burden and relapse rates remain high. As diagnostic and therapeutic ecosystems mature, the market is poised to transform from symptom-based to biomarker-driven, personalized interventions.
• AI-powered diagnostic tools are emerging as a disruptive force in dermatology, and their application in lichen planus offers substantial growth potential. Advanced imaging combined with machine learning is enhancing early detection, subtype classification (cutaneous vs. oral vs. genital), and real-time monitoring—particularly valuable for chronic or relapsing presentations. As integration with dermatology clinics and mobile diagnostic platforms expands, AI is expected to bridge the gap in specialist access across underserved regions.
• Biologic therapies represent the next frontier in LP treatment, especially for erosive and refractory cases where conventional corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are inadequate. Drug developers are increasingly exploring IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α pathways, mirroring advances seen in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Case-based evidence, such as upadacitinib's success in oral and cutaneous LP, is accelerating the clinical adoption curve and attracting investment in pipeline diversification.
• The multidisciplinary care model is gaining prominence, particularly for complex syndromic variants like Vulvo-Vaginal-Gingival Syndrome. Integration of dermatologists, oral surgeons, gynecologists, and immunologists is improving treatment adherence and outcomes. This collaborative framework is also fostering more granular patient stratification, supporting the expansion of personalized care pathways.

Key Developments

• In April 2025, Lipella Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for diseases with significant unmet needs, announced that its abstract on LP-10 for the treatment of Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) has been accepted for podium presentation at the 2025 joint international meeting of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) and European Association of Oral Medicine (EAOM). The meeting will take place May 14–17 in Las Vegas.

Competitive Landscape

• Gilead Sciences
• Johnson & Johnson
• Merck & Co.
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Roche
• Sanofi
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
• AstraZeneca
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Mylan
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals
• Sandoz (a Novartis division)
• Bayer

Lichen Planus Market Segmentation

• By Type
• Cutaneous Lichen Planus
• Oral Lichen Planus
• Genital Lichen Planus
• Lichen Planopilaris
• Others (e.g. Esophageal Lichen Planus)
• By Treatment
• Topical Corticosteroids
• Systemic Corticosteroids
• Immunomodulators
• Phototherapy
• Others (e.g., Biologics, Laser Therapy, etc.)
• By End User
• Dermatology Clinics
• Hospitals
• Specialty Clinics
• Aesthetic Clinics

Regional Insights

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Mexico
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Europe
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • France
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Japan
  • China
  • Australia
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East
  • GCC Countries
  • Israel
  • Rest of Middle East
• Africa
  • South Africa
  • North Africa
  • Central Africa