Follica Moves Forward
Puretech Health, the parent company of Follica, has recently issued a 2018 Annual Report to shareholders which contains news about its long-standing hair growth company.
New Proprietary Compounds
Among the important Follica news shared in the Puretech Annual Report is the mentioning of “next-generation proprietary compounds.” Yes, that compounds with an “s”, as in more than one. The report states that Follica owns preclinical data on several of these compounds which act on the Wnt pathway. The fact that the data is preclinical means that there is still some necessary time and trials before these compounds could become available to humans, but its good to know that Follica has more than just minoxidil in store for its microwounding device.
The image above on the right demonstrates the effect of the Wnt compound amplifying the amount new hair growth in disrupted skin. Perhaps the most interesting detail mentioned about these Wnt compounds is the fact they are listed as “short-term use”, which is something we’ve never really heard of before in hair growth. For example, minoxidil is something that needs to be applied continually for its effects to be received. These new Wnt molecules may only need to be applied to the scalp for several weeks to produce their of new hair follicle formation. If you are wondering where these molecules came from, you may recall the research collaboration between JW Pharma and Upenn from 2017 and it is likely they are related to it.
Clinical Use
We have long been waiting on Follica to initiate its pivotal FDA approval study, it looks like that may finally be coming to fruition. Unknown to many until now, Follica is currently engaged in an optimization study for its device. Presumably, the microwounding device is being trialed in men and women with androgenic alopecia and used in conjunction with minoxidil. Once Follica gets the results its seeking from this optimization study, the report mentions that a “pivotal” study (study to receive FDA approval) is expected to begin in 2019. If that FDA approval study begins this year, its highly likely that Follica’s new device would be available to consumers in 2020.
I’ve also heard through the grapevine that Follica may be looking to collaborate with another hair growth compound that is well known in the online world. I don’t see why they wouldn’t, as this compound is one of the only in the world that has actually shown hair growth in humans rather than just in mice. Whatever the case, this is good news from Follica and we look forward to hearing more about its upcoming pivotal trial for the FDA.
Thanks to the readers who commented about this update from Puretech Health. To read the full update on Follica jump to page 31 of this pdf presentation.
Posted in Follica, Hair Growth Treatment
I live nearby Boston and would be willing to be a guinea pig in any trial.
i live farther out but will be a brighter bouncier guinea pig..
What is the online hair growth compund you are referring to? Thank you.
“I’ve also heard through the grapevine that Follica may be looking to collaborate with another hair growth compound that is well known in the online world”
which compound are you refering to admin?
If I could mention it by name I would have, sorry.
Admin could you point us in the right direction with this compound without actually mentioning the name?
AZT is one wnt.. they did the original mouse belly regrowth test with it..
This treament may be available as 2020???
I can see it being Samumed. That being said I am batting 100% on my guesses being wrong, so really why would this time be any deferent. Would be cool tho
Like all the other prospective hair projects we’ll be waiting for years before anything beneficial comes to market.
I could be wrong, but it’s hard for me to imagine what legitimate reason there would be for you not naming this magical compound, as you say in the description it is “well known in the online world.” What is the specific negative consequence that is preventing you from explicitly naming it? If it’s so important to keep it a secret, why bring it up? Unless it’s to lord over your readers that you have access to “secret” info?
The winner will be Histogen! Really hoping from this company 🙂
Hey chaps lam still getting growth from derma rolling and Tesla brushing..
probably minoxidil? but why would admin make it a secret when it’s already certain that they will use min?
Maybe it’s RU58841?))