Hair loss isn’t exclusive to one group of people—as a matter of fact, both men and women and individuals young and old deal with things like hair loss and balding for a number of reasons. Whether it be things like genetics, medication or autoimmune diseases like alopecia, adjusting to the way hair loss alters one’s appearance can be a tough process. Over the years, countless remedies have hit the shelves, and many of them have provided promising results—but a new “baldness breakthrough” is all the rage. PP405, a new medication currently being tested, is showing hopeful outcomes in recent trials. Here, everything to know about PP405 and what the current before and after results are looking like.
You likely know that diabetes can trigger everything from fatigue to increased thirst—but it can also cause hair loss, notes Andres Splenser, MD, an endocrinologist at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas. “When I see women with hair loss, if they don’t have a history of diabetes, I check either for pre-diabetes or insulin […]
What is PP405?
PP405 refers to a molecule that UCLA researchers discovered to stimulate dormant hair follicles. As explained on the Pelage website, the pharmaceutical company behind the drug, hair follicle stem cells experience periods of dormancy due to things like age, stress, hormones, or treatments like chemotherapy—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still present. PP405 essentially works to stimulate these dormant stem cells, prompting new hair growth. While the science sounds promising, the trials are proving to be equally as hopeful. Pelage’s Phase 2a study has shown that this new drug is stimulating growth in spots where people experienced balding. Here, a look at the results so far.
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PP405 trial shows promising results
The topical medication tested in the Phase 2a trial proved to have results after just eight weeks. The drug, which came in the form of a 0.05% topical gel, was applied by those experiencing androgenetic alopecia (also known as male and female pattern baldness) in areas where their hair has thinned. For those who tested the medication, 31% saw more than 20% of increased hair growth compared to those in the placebo group. The trial, which included 78 people ranging in age from 18 to 55, also revealed that the drug stimulated growth in areas which were previously bald, suggesting that PP405 could potentially aid in regeneration. While many hair loss treatments can take months before any results are seen, the eight week time period in which these improvements occurred was impressive.
“These early clinical results reinforce the potential of our approach to go beyond slowing the hair loss process and directly drive hair follicle regeneration,” said Christina Weng, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Pelage Pharmaceuticals, in a statement. “We see this as a milestone that expands the possibilities of regenerative medicine. As we advance into the next stage of clinical development, our focus remains on delivering a science-driven solution that works for everyone.”
The safety of such a drug has also been taken into account, and tests indicate that there was no systematic absorption as no PP405 was detected in the blood of participants. Still in the trial stages, keep your eyes peeled for further developments with this groundbreaking new drug.
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