New Company: Applied Biology
A new company with an interesting pipeline aimed at hair growth technology, Applied Biology, has recently surfaced on the internet.
Background
Applied Biology is a biotechnology company based in Irvine, California and led by dermatologist Dr. Andy Goren. The company’s About page gives a good description of Applied Biology’s focus:
Dr. Andy Goren President of Applied Biology
“Applied Biology is a biotechnology company specializing in hair science. We are committed to the development of breakthrough drugs and medical devices for the treatment of hair disorders. From genetic markers to harnessing the power of the microbiome, we innovate hair treatments for a healthier life.
Our R&D pipeline of novel pharmaceuticals span both hair and skin conditions. Our pioneering work includes a topically applied prophylactic treatment for chemotherapy induced alopecia; a novel diagnostic device that can aid dermatologists in identifying non-responders to topical minoxidil; an adjuvant therapy for non-responders to topical minoxidil; and a novel topical bandpass filter – harnessing the power of the sun to deliver phototherapy for vitiligo, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.”
Although the established company of Applied Biology seems new to everyone, the research team which makes up the company contains decades of hair science experience. Dr. Goren is a well known researcher in the industry and has authored over 40 scientific journal articles, the combined personnel of the company have authored over 100 scientific articles.
Research and Development
The important part: what is Applied Biology doing to actually bring some hair growth products to market? The answer is actually, quite a lot. Currently, Applied Biology has 9 total products in their pipeline and 7 of them are specifically aimed at alopecia.
Let’s take a look at the full list:
- AB 101 – R&D Stage: Microbiome based androgenetic alopecia therapy. Genetically engineered microbial treatment for androgenetic alopecia.
- AB 102 – Phase 1 Q3 2019: Chemotherapy induced alopecia. Small molecule prophylactic treatment of CIA.
- AB 103 – Phase 3 Q2 2019: Topical minoxidil adjuvant therapy. Small molecule for enhancing minoxidil response by modulating the follicular sulfotransferase enzyme, the major enzyme deficient in non-responders.
- AB 104 – Phase 1 Q2 2019: Follicular unit regeneration. Novel autologous injection kit for regenerating miniaturizing follicles. For use in-clinic.
- AB 105 – Phase 3 Q1 2019: Prophylactic treatment for traction alopecia. Small molecule for reducing excessive shedding as well as reducing the risk from developing ponytail induced alopecia.
- AB 106 – Phase 1 Q2 2019: Shock hair loss. Novel kit for use during hair transplant surgery. Reduces hairs lost post-operation as well as increases graft survival.
- Application submitted to the FDA: Minoxdil response test. A diagnostic test to aid a physician in identifying non-responders to topical minoxidil therapy.
That’s a lot of projects. My favorites on the list were AB 103 and 104. A topical for enhancing the effects of minoxidil currently going into a phase 3 trial is legitimate news. Also, a new injectable treatment for regenerating hair follicles sounds very interesting as well.
Applied Biology has a Clinical Studies page which gives descriptions of the current clinical studies which its products are.
Odds & Ends
The website also has a few more pages of interest including a products page and partners page. It appears that the only products that are currently available from the company are “Photocil” a treatment for vitiligo and psoriasis and the minoxidil response test which is listed as not for sale in the US.
Several companies have partnered with or licensed the technology Applied Biology is working on including Cantabria Labs, Innogen Pharmaceuticals, Hairmore, and others. The Partners page mentions that Applied Biology is still seeking to partner with pharmaceutical companies for several key areas of interest.
Just like that another company which was operating behind the scenes emerges with a full pipeline dedicated to hair growth treatments. You can be sure there are several more stem cell companies in the US and possibly abroad that are working on stem cell hair regeneration therapies. It’s only a matter of time till they decide to announce the research they’ve been conducting as well. Credit Fuji for sharing this news earlier.
What does everyone think about this new add-on therapy to minoxidil and the rest of the Applied Biology lineup?
Posted in Applied Biology, Hair Growth Treatment
A great addition to treatments for hair loss and baldness
Admin, anything on results or release date for this company? Or is it all preclinical at the moment?
The stage of development is listed in the article for each product. The minoxidil enhancer is at phase 3 trial as of Q2 2019. The injectable follicle regeneration kit is at phase 1 as of Q2 2019. They may be international trials, it is not specified.
I like the idea of 14 the most
I agree
what is 14?
Well if AB 104 is successful, then all of their other research (except for AB 102) is redundant.
I started topical 2% minoxidil in the early to mid 80’s, before it was released by prescription only, with good success. Then bumped up to 5 %, however, over the years it would lose it’s effectiveness. I’ve progressively bumped up the concentration using various compounded 15% and even a 30% cream. I would respond for a while, however the effectiveness has become less and less, even though I have my DHT under control (topical fin, Dut, RU).Would be interesting to know if the minoxidil enhancer would have a positive effect on former responders that minoxidil eventually lost it’s effect.
Yoda, where in the world did you find a 30% Minoxidil cream??? How is that even possible to produce?
Minoxidil it’s a past century.
We need drug way or cloned follicles transplantation.
Thought I read somewhere that the most popular current treatments Minoxodil and Finasteride may come with some negative side effects, especially with long term use. If this is the case, why do companies continue to come out with new products to boost the effectiveness of a drug that has negative effects? Shouldn’t they be working to offer an alternative to those potentially harmful drugs? Am I missing something here?
I hear ya Lisa. I’ve always favored the use of new drugs that don’t have the same potential side effects of minox and fin. I guess the true answer is finding products that enhance the old ones is probably easier than finding a whole new drug that can grow hair. I’m sure they and many other researchers are trying to find new drugs to stimulate hair growth. If money were not an issue this problem would have been solved long ago.
In regards to current vs. future treatments, as a very bad former Secretary of Defense once said ‘You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.’
business.
they make money where they can.
TREMendous Macrophages Inhibit Hair Growth
A Subset of TREM2+ Dermal Macrophages Secretes Oncostatin M to Maintain Hair Follicle Stem Cell Quiescence and Inhibit Hair Growth.”
Christiano-led Columbia team /
Results of the second phase will be announced by the end of 2019 .
I’m hesitant to say as to not be accused of “shilling”…Google Murray Ave RX Pharmacy. Trust me, while I think the ingredients are quality and the compounds are what they say I question the ability to penetrate. It’s no magic bullet but one of the few, legit high strength products out there. Nothing will ever compare to Xandrox by Dr. Lee, my hair really took a dump when he was put out of business by the FDA.
News about Follica on yahoo finance they are starting new trials withe 60 subjects it can’t be phase 3
Aclaris AGA company is a drug way, which so much better than some device from Follica and yet result on photo is really weak.