It can only be good news, to see a major global pharmaceutical firm with hair loss on its agenda. Especially true after failing at an advanced stage last year with one promising product. With Allergan to reenter the hair loss market on the back of an announcement this week, we had to take a closer look.

Allergan

Allergan is a Dublin based, global pharmaceutical firm. With a turnover last year in excess of $16B they are huge. With Allergan to reenter the hair loss market, sufferers the world over have every reason to be pleased.

They focus on developing, manufacturing and marketing branded products for patients around the world. One familiar name on their product list is botox. Although HQ’d in Ireland, Allergan started life as an American business called Actavis, who moved to Ireland to take advantage of the friendly corporate tax environment there. Once in Ireland, they acquired a number of large US pharmaceutical firms, including Allergan whose name they took. They received a $150M windfall in 2015 when a proposed merger with Pfizer broke down and Pfizer settled with a ‘break up fee.’ In fact, it was Obama’s plan to ban tax inversions that changed Pfizer’s plan to create what would have been the world’s third-largest merger.

A History Of Hair Loss

Allergan’s first attempt to enter the hair loss market did not fare so well. They took an oral hair loss drug through to a Phase IIa trial that completed last year. Unfortunately, the results of that trial disappointed and it was subsequently dropped from the Allergan pipeline list.

Undeterred, Allergan has come back to hair loss with the announcement of a $750M deal. They have tied up a deal with a biotech firm called Exicure. Exicure work on developing gene regulating drugs. It is phenomenally complex bioscience. By tying up with a global pharma like Allergan they have big ambitions. Chief Executive, David Giljohann, said he was excited at the prospect of ‘combining our knowledge of nucleic acid therapeutics with Allergan’s deep expertise in medical aesthetics.’

Early Plan To Address Hair Loss

At this stage, the new partners are coy around exactly which markets they are looking to address. The great news for hair loss sufferers is that androgenetic alopecia is likely to be first on their list. They have correctly identified it as an underserved market. One where there is a $3.5B estimated annual spend on treatments and products. Most of which are extremely limited in efficacy.

HIS Hair Clinic

So it seems we can look forward to watching the work of Exicure more closely. They will be tasked with discovery and preclinical development work on any hair loss project. With Allergan then taking over at the clinical testing stage.

You can read more about Exicure, and the science that underpins their research, by clicking here. They are an enormously welcome addition to the increasingly high-quality labs we see joining the fight against hair loss. It is exciting to see their work attracting the likes of Allergan. Equally, it is encouraging to see Allergan’s appetite for the hair loss market seems undamaged by their previous attempt.

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our friendly team of experts simply complete the contact form at the side of this page, or click here to find your nearest clinic.

 

In a surprise move, the Canadian health authority, Health Canada, has ordered nearly 40 clinics to suspend treatments based on stem cell and PRP technology, including for hair loss. We look closer.

 

Health Canada

In May Health Canada published a position paper outlining their stance on autologous cell therapies. These are treatments which see the patients own cells, after being treated, injected back into the same patient. In the paper, they made it clear that, in their opinion, there was little evidence to show that they are effective and that there is the potential for risk. The risks were associated with the dangers of cross-contamination and dangerous immune reactions.  They were referring to a previously published paper from the New England Journal of Medicine that gave examples of some of these cell-based therapies which had led to serious problems, including three who went blind in 2015 following stem cell injections at a Florida clinic where they were being treated for vision. 

Health Canada is now describing these treatments as drugs, meaning they would need to be supported by clinical research proving efficacy and safety. 

LightTouch MedSpa

One of the clinics targeted by Health Canada was LightTouch, with five clinics in the Toronto area. Their COO, Justin Boutillier, was understandably upset. He told Canada’s Globe and Mail website that the clinic mainly used the injections for skin tightening and hair loss. Mr. Boutillier went on to express frustration that while cell-based therapies are being targetted, other cosmetic procedures like lasers are allowed to carry on. “They haven’t provided any examples of how it’s unsafe or why it’s unsafe,” he added. 

Meanwhile, at Toronto PRP and Stem Cell, medical director Adrian Le pointed out that he has received the letter and stopped stem cell treatments, but that he is allowed to continue PRP for some conditions, including osteoarthritis. Mr. Le said that while he understood some regulatory action was required he was concerned about what it means for the future of these treatments. 

The Argument Against

Some powerful voices have pitched in with their support for the action taken by Health Canada. Michael Rudnicki, scientific director of the Stem Cell Network, who fund and support stem cell researchers, said “It’s a step in the right direction, but they really need to step up their enforcement. The public really has been misinformed by these clinics and by this advertising.”

Meanwhile, Time Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in health law and policy at University of Alberta, said: “We know that there are an increasing number of clinics across North America that are selling these unproven therapies, I think it’s really important to emphasise this stuff is unproven.”

HIS Hair Clinic

The rapid rise of clinics offering these treatments has been nothing short of stunning. There is something so elegant about the science, as described in the advertising, behind these new treatments that they are compelling. If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself with a condition for which they are offered as a solution it is easy to see how you might find yourself in the therapists’ clinic and keen to hand over your cash.

HIS Hair Clinic

The fact that they have not simply banned all versions of these treatments points, surely, to some level of efficacy and safety. But the dramatic letter from Health Canada, along with the opinions expressed by the likes of Tim Caulfield and Michael Rudnicki, should give us all pause for thought. 

Conversely, the whining complaint from Boutillier that Health Canada has failed to provide examples of how and why it is unsafe seems to miss the point completely, possibly deliberately in the absence of serious defence. This is a man who, by his own account, can not distinguish between the dangers of using a laser and injecting treated cells back into a patient. It is not that there are examples of why it is unsafe, though those do seem to be a matter of record, it is the absence of clinical research to prove that they are safe. 

We wait to see how this unfolds and which, if any, other countries look to follow suit. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

Aclaris, who we have been following for nearly a decade, recently announced results at the midpoint of a year-long trial for a potential new hair loss product.  We look closer. 

 

A New Hope

Back in 2010, we reported that Aclaris had successfully applied for, and received, a patent which covered their use of a particular JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib. At the time, we recognised the strength of their research and their partners as strong foundations for a successful journey. While we might not have expected to wait this long for a truly positive update, we understand that these things take time.

ATI-502

The latest treatment to go to testing is named ATI-502. Like the original, tofacitinib, it is a JAK Inhibitor, one of a family of enzymes that are used to control signalling and affect the bodies processes. ATI-502 is designed to block the immune response which might otherwise see it attack hair follicles… a process that underpins the most common form of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, of the sort we inherit from our parents. 

Trial Results

While these are only preliminary results, reported at the midway stage of a year-long trial, they are most definitely encouraging. 

Two dozen patients were recruited for the trial with 23 completing the six months of treatment. This involved applying the treatment to their scalps twice a day, every day. Of the 23 subjects, 20, 14 men and 6 women, were reported to have shown measurable improvements in hair density. An additional male and female subject also reported that they experienced increased hair growth not noted by the researchers. 

No less important than the efficacy of the treatment are the side-effects. These are a real concern for both of the existing FDA approved drugs available today. Both come with unwelcome side effects, and one is not even available for women on that basis.  So it is highly relevant that the researchers found no issues at all during their study.

HIS Hair Clinic

The update from Aclaris must be welcomed by hair loss sufferers the world over, but especially by women. The fact that there is just the one available, approved, treatment for them at the moment is a situation that desperately needs addressing. Aclaris, for their part, are already looking ahead to 2020 and production of an improved version of ATI-502, capable of delivering higher concentrations of this topical treatment. We will continue to monitor their work and report back with progress. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.

The South Korean pop superstar known as “Ken” from boy band VIXX, has been speaking candidly about his hair loss and coping methods. We take a closer look. 

 

VIXX

VIXX came together on a South Korean TV talent show. They are one of the new breeds of massive acts coming out of Asia. One of which is likely to be appearing in a stadium near you soon. You might miss that completely if you are not in their social media world… but you can be sure their adoring fans will make sure it is a sellout. Their concerts are a blend of music and performance which combine to tell a story. They are a creative blend then, somewhere between Queen and a gang of Butlins Redcoats, all about entertainment but in a style their fans grandparents would not be offended by.     

Lee Jae-hwan was 20 years old in 2012 when he won his place in the six-piece boy band the show created. These days he is simply known as “Ken.”  In his spare time since he has branched out into acting, appearing in television shows, and musicals, where his vocal talents are allowed to shine. A lack of experience as a dancer was identified when he was selected for VIXX, but such was the quality of his voice that the plan was to put him on an intensive 5-month course and get him up to speed. 

In a candid interview,he spoke to tv show Video Star about the challenges he has had to overcome, including his fight against hair loss.

Struggles

To begin with, Ken’s only serious problem was the dancing. He was a long way behind the other boys in the band and one in particular, Leo, gave him an extremely hard time about it. When asked if he ever considered quitting he replied, “There were times like that, Leo is known as the strict teacher among the VIXX members”. 

He was also asked about his hair loss, something he has confessed to and been willing to discuss in the past. He started by saying that his hair loss was apparently stress related, and adding that he has recovered now. 

He offered some personal advice for other sufferers. Take medicine early he says by which we presume he means one of the two FDA medicated treatments available.  He goes on to warn “You should take medicine before the problem gets serious. it makes your hair thicker, but if you take it after your hair falls out, it becomes useless because there is no more hair.”  On a final note, e added, “…you shouldn’t get too stressed,” and highlighting the need to look out for the small joys in life. 

HIS Hair Clinic

There was a point in the interview where Ken confessed to still using spray concealer. He says he uses it when appearing in musicals to stop the harsh lights exposing areas of hair loss. So maybe his claims of being fully recovered are a little exaggerated, nevertheless, e applaud his candour at taking the problem by the horns. Both addressing, through treatment, the problem and discussing it in public. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic. 

 

News from California suggests a research team there might be on the brink of the hair loss cure from our dreams. A simple treatment that can permanently cure hair loss regardless of how far advanced. We take a closer look.

 

Regenerative Medicine

The science of stem cells has always held the promise of a permanent cure for hair loss. These remarkable biological devices with the potential to become any type of human cell teased at that possibility. 

The story started in 1981 when scientists found a way to harvest embryonic stem cells from mice. It would take nearly two decades from there to develop the techniques necessary to be able to take stem cells from humans and grown them in a laboratory. 

A key step forward took place in 2006, when researchers learned how to reprogramme certain adult cells to take on a stem cell-like state, they called the resulting cells “induced pluripotent stem cells” (ISPCs).

Stemson Therapeutics

This Californian based biotech only launched last year and their website just appeared in the last week… on the back of a remarkable announcement which no doubt highlighted the need for their communications to improve. 

They sent one of their team, Antonella Pinto PhD, to present their work at the 2019 get-together of the International Society for Stem Cell Research. 

She held the conference spellbound as she described their work with mice. Up till now, the team has been using mouse epithelial cells with human dermal papilla cells… work on using human cells for the whole process is already started. What underpins their great results is a 3D scaffold, made from the same material as dissolvable stitches, which provides a growing environment for the papilla cells. Importantly, it also controls the direction that the hair will grow… overcoming at a stroke one of the principal issues currently associated with hair transplantation. 

The Future

The existing treatment requires cells to be taken from the patient to initiate the process. We are only talking a small amount of blood. Those cells are used to harvest and create ISPCs which are in turn converted to folliculogenic cells ready for transplanting back to the patient. 

The ambition is to achieve “allogenic” transplantation. This would see the team able to transplant cells into a patient which started their life elsewhere… so in theory, you could walk into a clinic and be treated on the spot. 

HIS Hair Clinic

It almost sounds too good to be true. A simple hair loss treatment that can deliver unlimited new follicles… where do we sign up we hear you ask. Well, work has already begun towards testing the technique on humans. Maybe just as encouraging are the list of partners Stemson Therapeutics boast. They include some of the most senior names in the field of follicle research, along with the pharmaceuticals giant Allergan, makers of Botox, themselves recently acquired for $63B by US drug firm AbbVie.

You can rest assured we will be keeping an extremely close eye on developments. 

If you would like to discuss your hair loss situation with one of our team of friendly experts, simply complete our contact form on this page or click here to find your nearest clinic.