SCM Lifescience Hair Growth Cosmetic: CXCL1 Protein

SCM Lifescience is a biotechnology company based in South Korea with a focus on adult stem cell therapeutics. The company had caught my eye several months ago when I read about its plans to develop a stem-cell derived product for hair growth. Since then, SCM seems to be making progress on that path. 

SCM Lifescience Background

The proprietary technology platform at SCM involves culturing a particular type of adult stem cell, which is acquired from bone marrow or adipose tissue, and applying these stem cells in a wide range of therapeutics. SCM currently has therapies in development for graft versus host disease, atopic dermatitis, pancreatitis, and other indications. Following a current trend among stem cell therapeutic companies, SCM is also pursuing the use of stem cell conditioned media to create cosmetic products. 

CXCL1 Protein

Below the “Business” section of SCM’s website, you will find a page displaying potential cosmetic applications for its stem cell technology. This page contains a graph of ‘functional cosmetic’ products SCM is developing, including indications for atopic dermatitis and ‘anti-hair loss’. Functional cosmetics are products sold over the counter which serve a medicinal purpose. Also on the cosmetic page of the SCM website is a section designated to “Hair Growth Protein CXCL1” (seen below).

Not surprisingly, SCM’s product for hair growth seems to be the “featured item” of its cosmetic lineup. In the bottom left, a graph is shown which (I believe) displays hair follicles which have been treated with the CXCL1 protein. Below this section are displayed two patents that SCM has filed for CXCL1 and hair growth. The company is very open about showcasing its patents for hair growth and other applications and has even created a section of its website for listing all of the company’s patents. You will notice multiple patents for treating hair loss. 

One of the additional patents for treating hair loss involves utilizing a composition of CXCL1 and minoxidil. Even further, SCM has also conducted research involving minoxidil and adipose derived stem cells. On the publications page of SCM’s site you will find the scientific article “Minoxidil Promotes Hair Growth through Stimulation of Growth Factor Release from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.” So, we can see that SCM Lifescience has been involved in some thorough research in its quest to develop an advanced cosmetic product for hair growth. (P.s. for the real enthusiasts there is even one more “easter egg” patent for hair growth on the SCM page.)

Commentary

I hope to receive more information from SCM Lifescience about its hair growth product in the future. Details about a potential release time frame or clinical trials are surely interesting to the readers of this site. For now, we can see SCM appears to be dedicated to developing an effective cosmetic hair growth product. There are possibilities of a product containing stem cell conditioned media with CXCL1 protein, and even minoxidil. There’s also a valid possibility SCM may be developing a clinical stage hair growth therapy as well. If we look into the scientific article regarding minoxidil and adipose derived stem cells, this makes sense. Whatever the case, we are happy to welcome SCM Lifescience as a legitimate figure in the hair industry who could offer a quick to marker solution for improving hair growth.