Inssen & APstem Therapeutics: New AGA Companies 2023
The pool of biotechs which have expanded their sights into the hair regrowth field continues to grow in 2023.
Inssen Multi-Targeted Affipep Technology
Inssen is a Korean-based biotech company with Swedish roots, a bit of a rare combination. Its platform technology called “Affipep” combines novel affibody molecules with functional peptides to create selective therapeutics which have multi-functionality. The Inssen website mentions, “In the case of diseases that require separate inhibitors and activators, AffiPep can effectively treat diseases with just one drug.” It’s a very interesting concept indeed, and one that certainly pairs well with androgenic alopecia remediation. Their website also mentions another treatment modality called Afficell, but it is not clear how distinct Afficell is from Affipep itself.
A therapy intended to prevent and regenerate hair loss using the Affipep technology is being pursued by Inssen. Its intended mechanisms are described as affecting the “production of capillaries, and the regulation of androgenic hormones.” In fact, this hair promoting drug is described as Inssen’s first R&D project and current primary focus, which feels kind of lucky to be honest. In addition to hair regrowth, Inssen has candidate proteins for wrinkle improvement and other metabolic diseases. Inssen’s wrinkle improvement affibody is said to interact with the same protein targeted by botulinum toxin aka botox, albeit through a different means.
APstem Adult Pluripotent Stem Cells Platform
Another newcomer to throw their hat in the AGA treatment ring is APstem Therapeutics of Fremont, California. APstem seeks to leverage the therapeutic potential of a new class of adult stem cells which maintain pluripotency, meaning they can become virtually any type of cell in the body. Interestingly, APstem co-founder, Dr. Shaowei Li, published a paper in 2020 on wound healing and hair regeneration using stem cells. Currently, the APstem pipeline shows an intention to develop exosomes and medium-based cosmeceuticals for the treatment of hair loss and aging skin. These “cosmetic ambitions” are common among biotechs, but are usually only achieved through diligent and sincere efforts. Hopefully, by the end of the year we will get a better indication of APstem’s interest in hair and whether they are pursuing a fast-to-market cosmeceutical treatment which could help people.
News In Perspective
The above companies are both in early stages of development, as is the norm when they are announced to the public through blogs like Follicle Thought. Some positive takeaways here are the novel mechanism of Inssen’s Affipep technology, which is the first multi-targeting drug for androgenetic alopecia that I’ve heard of thus far. You can expect to see more of these multi-mechanism iterations in the coming months and years. And, of course, the allure of APstem’s product is the potential for it to be developed and release within months to years instead of the more drawn-out timelines associated with pharmaceuticals. Note, that is a potential pending APstem Therapeutics’ motivation and ability.
Posted in APstem Therapeutics, Cosmeceuticals, Hair Growth Treatment, Inssen
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I’m not sure how long you’ve been looking at the lay of the land when it comes to developments regarding hair loss, but how do you view the many different approaches we say today compared to previous times? Also has it effected your level of optimism?
This is the most exciting time for hair loss Ever; we’ve had only two options for decades due to Merck and Pfizer being satisfied enough with them, but people got fed up, and smaller companies took the mantle and government grants to universities also accelerated the process. The world no longer just accept hair loss, and the big pharma companies did not lift a finger to do research on hair loss due to their insane profit margins from propecia/ fin and minoxidil. But now they have jumped on it as well due to the numerous discoveries of potential drugs and therapies that have been discovered to trear hair loss. Now we have dozens of companies and nations in pursuit for a cure and better treatments. It’s a race now to see who can get there first and claim the largest share in this insanely huge market. I think we will definitely have new treatments and possibly a cure within the next 5 years, we know at least one company is pursuing phase 3 this year for a new drug, that is Breezula, could they fail, maybe, but there could be many failures before we reach a breakthrough.
Interesting perspective Dark Prince! Always welcome to new perspectives lol
Thanks YoYo, yeah.. I definitely have hope compared to previous years
Nice optimistic speech) hope you are right)
I overlooked this question YoYo, apologies.
I mean, even looking back to 2018 where the only true contenders felt like Replicel and Hisotgen, the industry has just boomed into something a bit different in my opinion. When you look at the variety or drug attemps: Hope, Kintor 1 and 2, TechnoDerma, Cutia, Cosmo; and then enhancements: Moogene and maybe Follica, and then cell/cloning therapies: Epibiotech, Stemson, HanBio, dNovo, TissUse; and various others: Amplifica, etc. it’s a greatly different looking field to me. It still requires a lot of effort but I have seen things change.
Don’t sweat it FT I appreciate your input, yea I’ve only been in the game for 2 years so it’s definitely interesting to see how today compares to that of the past
What does it cost?
Assuming your referring to the APstem cosmeceutical, it’s still in the development stage and not for sale yet.
Did you guys miss us? After a long service period a technical issues with the hosting company has been resolved.
I know I missed this website like crazy. 🙂
Hey I wanted to ask you if you might consider putting up a list of all the companies who are currently working on AA treatment. You have the Ultimate guide, but it’s only a selection. I know that’s probably a lot to ask of you, but that would be very helpful if you could make up a list and pin it under the Featured posts section on the left side.
Alexis, please look up “alopecia areata treatment pipeline” in your search engine. If that does not work use the search on this site for “alopecia areata”, I have a pipeline article.
I’m glad you’re back👏👋
Thank you, nobody. 🙂
Indeed!
Finally, this site is up and running again.
I missed it like hell. Didn’t just know where to go and what to do to keep my spirits high
Thnk u ft u give lot of hope.
Why do you have no articles on any scarring alopecias?? AGA and alopecia areata aren’t the only hair loss disorders…….
Don’t know of available treatments or specific pipeline therapies for scarring alopecia at the moment. Please advocate to biotech for the development of such therapies and you’re welcome to share any new info you come across here. And by the way, hair cloning therapies such as Stemson’s are proposed to treat scarring alopecia, and we have definitely covered them. Feel free to do some research on this site about Stemson and other hair cloning companies.
there is a new jak inhibitor (JAK 1 and TYK2) in phase 2 for cicatricial alopecia. it’s called brepocitinib
So I wonder if Stemson is done with pig trials? They’re probably done with that right? I wonder when actual humans be able to be the test guinea pigs.
I’m sure they’ve done a round of pig trials, but I don’t know if they are done. I imagine they plan to continue running pig trials until they are getting high yields of fully functioning hair follicles repeatedly. Then they would know they’re ready for a human trial.
ok
Hello hope everyones doing well. I know this is off topic but was just wondering if anyone on this forum has used topical finasteride as per the mazarella dosage of 0.005%. Use it 2mL once a day. Been using it since November after topical and oral had given me side effects. So far so good in terms of side effects and my blood test seems to show my hormones are in normal ranges still.
Not sure about hair growth as its early but wondering if anyone on here has used something like that.
Thanks
Where are you able to get finasteride in that dose George?
From the Updates page: Cutia Therapeutics of China has launched a new website which shows a thyroid hormone receptor agonist as a new drug for AGA.
CosmeRNA for Sale at the end of March 2023
What is the source of this Ahmed? Thanks
A few of the recent comments may have been lost as the website is being overhauled, fyi. If something needs to be reposted, feel free.
I just want a cure. 🙁
The new look of the website looks great admin 🙂
New look looks great.
And on the topic of new websites. Hair clone has updated their website.
This being the most interesting tidbit I could find looking through.
“HairClone’s approach of follicle rejuvenation treats hairs as they actively miniaturise and has the potential to prevent hair loss.
Strong clinical connections and special UK regulations enable HairClone to move directly into clinical application”
Well that and “HairClone aims to begin clinical work in the UK in 2024.”
However seems those statements are implying they have the rejuvenating treatment available in the UK prior to 2024
Thanks for the compliment and the HairClone news! Can’t tell if they’re already pushing back their timeline to 2024 already.
Yeah I agree. Looks good
Thank you all for those kind words. It took me a little while to warm up to it myself, but I think it’s solid. Does everything the old site did with a cooler front page and new sections. If anyone’s just looking for the old front page feed, just hit the article’s page.
Looks good admin 🙂 would be cool if the comment count for each article was visible from the front page. I often check in to see if there’s new comments.
Thanks Always. I believe the Articles page shows the comment count, but it’s something that could be looked into down the road.