PTD-DBM Update: Q&A With Dr. Kang-Yell Choi
2021 Q&A With Dr. Kang-Yell Choi: Update (9/14/21)
I was recently able to conduct another Q&A with Dr. Kang-Yell Choi who gives the latest updates on his company below. Among the updates, Dr. Choi’s startup aimed at commercializing drugs which target the CXXC5 protein is now going by a new name, CK Regeon.
FT: What’s the status of the KY19382 candidate for hair regeneration as of September 2021?
KYC: Currently, preclinical trials were completed and formulation development are under progress. We are also consulting with experts for better clinical research (regarding initiation of clinical trial).
FT: The published study in 2017 showed “wound-induced” hair follicle neogenesis. Understanding this project is still early, do you anticipate that there would need to be some type of wounding in humans to create new hairs?
KYC: The core content of the “Wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis” project is that stem cells induced by stimuli such as wounds are further activated by our small molecule that activates Wnt, thereby maximizing hair regeneration. Although it is practically impossible to make big wounds on human scalps, we expect that creating fine wounds using a specific device will be sufficient to have a synergistic effect on hair regeneration with our drug candidate. It is hard to give a more specific plan, but we believe this project can play a crucial role in solving the long-standing problem of baldness treatment.
FT: What is the initial geographical target market for the KY19382 drug?
KYC: As for the target market for KY19382, major markets including US and Korea are being considered. We are trying to commercialize it so that it can benefit as many people as possible.
Thanks to Dr. Choi for continuing to keep us informed on KY19382 and we look forward to the next update.
Small Molecule Development: Update (8/21/20)
Last July I shared an update on the development progress of the PTD-DBM therapy discovered by Dr. Kang-Yell Choi. In a short Q&A session, Dr. Choi told us that his team was still indeed pursuing the PTD-DBM therapy for hair regrowth and that he was more focused on developing small molecule drugs which mimicked the activity of the PTD-DBM peptide as this was a more cost effective solution.
Now, a year later we see one of the small molecule candidates that Dr. Choi was referring to surface in a published preclinical study. The study titled “KY19382, a novel activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, promotes hair re-growth and hair follicle neogenesis” is still undergoing the peer-review process but can be downloaded from the aforementioned link. I previously shared this study in a recent Stemore article as one of the authors of the study is affiliated with Stemore and I found the study when researching that scientist. Dr. Choi clarified to me, though, that this molecule KY19382 is not affiliated with Stemore, the scientists just happen to all be professors at the same institution – Yonsei University in South Korea.
I can confirm that Dr. Choi has established a new company CK Biotechnology Inc. to commercialize the KY19382 molecule as a treatment for hair growth. You’ll notice the first two letters of the molecule are Dr. Choi’s initials “Kang-Yell.” At the moment there is not a definite timeline for human trials to begin, but the pipeline page of CK Biotech’s site hints that a trial could begin in the first half of 2021. The pipeline also shows that hair growth is the furthest developed program at CK, which is good news. I will follow this development and share news on a human trial when available.
Original Article
In late 2017, research from Yonsei University in Korea made headlines by announcing a drug candidate that could be used for hair regrowth and follicle neogenesis after wounding. After a long period of silence, many wondered if the project had been shelved. Today, I have an exclusive update from its lead researcher Dr. Kang-Yell Choi.
CXXC5 Protein & PTD-DBM
Since it’s been a while, let’s recap the original research from Yonsei University and Dr. Kang-Yell Choi. For starters, the team identified a protein called CXXC type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) which negatively affects hair growth. CXXC5 inhibits hair growth by binding to an important central component of the Wnt signaling pathway, a protein known as “Dishevelled.” This binding of CXXC5 to Dishevelled essentially inhibits one of the most important cellular pathways involved in hair follicle development – the Wnt pathway.
To counteract this activity, Dr. Choi and his team developed a peptide called PTD-DBM which interferes with CXXC5’s binding to Dishevelled, and thus, keeps Wnt functioning intact to generate healthy follicles. The substance valproic acid (VPA) was also added to the mix in preclinical research and showed the ability to synergistically enhance regrowth with PTD-DBM.
One appealing factor of the PTD-DBM treatment is its involvement in the Wnt pathway, and according to the research team, it has the ability to not just slow down hair loss or speed up growth, but create whole new hair follicles. The Wnt pathway has long been associated with follicle neogenesis and there are multiple companies in the industry now experimenting with Wnt activating drugs for the purpose of generating hair follicles.
Q&A With Dr. Kang-Yell Choi
Dr. Kang-Yell Choi
FT: Is there still continued research being done by your team for the CXXC5 protein in hair regrowth and wound-induced neogenesis?
KYC: Yes, we are still continuing the research related with CXXC5 protein, and cracking the detailed mechanism of CXXC5 in suppression of hair growth and wound healing.
We are developing the peptide PTD-DBM and small molecules to functionally mimic the peptide as drug candidates.
FT: Has there already been interest from a pharmaceutical partner to bring these treatments to market?
KYC: We have plans to co-develop or license out the candidates with a global pharmaceutical partner at around early or middle of next year when we will expect to finish the pre-clinical studies. Due to cost and effective usage, we are more interested in the small molecule candidates.
FT: When do you think we could potentially see a human clinical trial for PTD-DBM and hair regrowth?
KYC: We plan to perform the clinical studies after completion of the pre-clinical studies, early or mid-next year.
Original published study – Targeting of CXXC5 by a Competing Peptide Stimulates Hair Regrowth and Wound-Induced Hair Neogenesis
The resurgence of PTD-DBM as a drug candidate for hair regrowth is quite timely as the industry landscape has become a bit uncertain lately. Some therapies appear to be tangled up in the clinical trial process and other recently reported results don’t show a clear picture of efficacy just yet. The comment section continuously shows that people are looking for a winner to emerge. I will have more info on some new and upcoming therapies over the next weeks.
Posted in Hair Growth Treatment, Kang-Yell Choi, PTD-DBM
Thanks Follicle Thought. This is exciting news and the development of the peptide is very promising. I look forward to their future trials. Your site always has the latest updates on hair growth. Jean
Thank you very much for your work friend. Regarding this news, I am curious if this treatment will be definitive, that is, if the new follicles will be long-lasting, or if the treatment will have to be repeated continuously to preserve the results. A hug
Any updates on the sale of medipost/celino in Korea as of yet ? Thanks
Hi Michael, pretty sure that product is going into clinics and hospitals in Korea currently. Or were you referring to general public sales?
Great effort man, you pulled this guy out of a hole, whole team was hushed for a long time. I know a guy, from a private discourse group, who tried PTD-DBM. It was a bust, but later he expressed some concern with purity standard from some Polish supplier.
Anyway this is YEARS away, we were really intrigued with that photo you posted from clinical trials, you were supposed to collect more info today, I hope you’re not shooting in the dark brother. Show us the light.
Thanks faust! Yeah, I mean the idea of getting a “boot-legged” version of a new drug has never proven anything one way or another. But the buzz about this treatment was extremely high when just the research was first published.
As far as clinical trial photo, that was from a group of about 14 people I believe, and several more are finishing up now and over the next few weeks. The doctor is literally collecting final photos and creating the before/after slides now. They will come out, I would guess 2-3 more examples should be ready within a week’s time. As soon as they’re ready to go I will post like always, no worries. and Thanks
http://puretechhealth.com/images/PureTech-Corporate-Presentation_FINAL-7.26.19.pdf
Admin
Please check the updates and when you will finish them
Hi Ahmed, what would you like me to comment on regarding the Follica presentation?
Good job. Can’t find updates like this anywhere else, we really need something to come through now or within a year release. I want to see more of the trial photos when released.
Also, want to remind everybody that the Ultimate Guide Hair Therapy Pipeline Chart has been updated.
Why do you mention a Tsuji release in 2023??? The last information of Takashi Tsuji in October 2018 was a 2020 release!
Tsuji has not begun clinical trials yet and it’s already midway through 2019. It seems highly unlikely that the product could be released onto market by the end of 2020.
Of course, this is possible but based on industry trends of releases and schedules almost always being delayed I am surprised that people still anticipate a Tsuji release in 2020.
I heard on another forum that Histogen is dead? Can you confirm whether this is true or not? Thanks
Histogen, at this time, shows no signs of being “dead.” They literally just finished a phase 1 clinical trial several months ago and reported that the trial met all of its endpoints. There’s no reason to believe it didn’t as HSC has always performed well in clinical trials, just things like funding, being sued, and regulatory hurdles have slowed down development before. I think people are embellishing the fact that the Mexico trial was announced on FT as cancelled.
Also with Allergan as a new partner it just does not make sense that Histogen is dead, they’re just back on a longer clinical path now.
Thanks for updating the Pipeline Chart. As a side note: Winlevi has been approved by the FDA. It’s expected to be available in the US in early 2021.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cassiopea-receives-fda-approval-for-winlevi-clascoterone-cream-1-first-in-class-topical-acne-treatment-targeting-the-androgen-receptor-301119454.html
Good news that Winlevi is out for acne, it’s a step in the right direction for Breezula to become approved.
I hear ya Joe. The whole internet of hair seekers is in the same boat. The step-by-step progress is what makes things come together.
I tell you what though, I got 3 new posts coming soon, one is from HairClone who can begin treatments on humans in UK once they raise funds, another is a story on a cosmetic in clinical trials, and another is photo results from a phase 1 trial. Those type of things might hit home for you.
Hey! When will you upload the much anticipated Shiseido-Update? thanks!
I think Histogen and Shiseido are effectively dead as far as we are concerned.
It will be posted by the end of the week unless HairClone news is released first, if so it will be posted directly after that.
The HairClone news seems to be more important as of now.
If the HairClone “news” is more important then Shiseido is certainly dead.
We are allowed to speculate, but only Shiseido knows for sure.
Stop saying that Shiseido is “dead” without data or evidence, it is as annoying as if you had said otherwise without any evidence or data.
I was rather hopeful for Shiseido but as time has gone on and they’ve remained silent my optimism has started to evaporate.
Let’s hope the Hairclone news is exciting.
Admin,
are you waiting on some kind of update or announcement from Hairclone themselves first before you publish your article regarding them?
Matt, that’s mostly right I am waiting for them to send me the full report. I’ve heard a bit from conversation but have to see exactly what they are disclosing this time before I put the article out. Climate is high for something positive to emerge, huh? I agree I wish all the companies who have important stuff to share would do so at once, but they have strategies and there is usually a factor of protecting competitiveness etc.
Well I truly hope it is something substantial from Hairclone and I suspect it is.
I did receive a DM on twitter from them stating they hoped to launch their follicle and rejuvenation services by the end of this year.
As for Shisheido, I guess a company of its size is under no obligation to rush things.
Things inevitably get delayed for a multitude of reasons.
I remember in the interview with Paul Kemp him stating that results from a trial couldn’t be reported until all patients had been followed up and ‘signed off’.
For me, the RCH 01 results will go some of the way to validate the approach that Hairclone are trying, I’m under the impression that their products are similar in mechanism?
If RCH 01 proves to be effective enough (by my judgement at least) I would definitely eagerly seek the Hairclone treatment when/if it becomes available .
i am waiting u too ,admin is that good or bad new , six year keep waiting,finally resultl come out this week?
,
Have somebody some news about Medipost/Celino is this now available or?
I would just like to point out that while RHC-01 may not be a cure as such… There are many with diffuse thinning. For those individuals many current treaments and many future ones will not be viable. Cellular therapies like RCH-01 may help those in such a predicament or help prevent people once they’ve started down that path.
New Update about hair surgeon Dr. Rassman trialing new protein injections and Youtube clip here https://folliclethought.com/updates/
hi admin, is that photos you posted last week from Hairclone?
No, it’s actually from HairCell
Is this the photo showing the thickening of the crown that you posted a few days back?
Yup, it was posted in the forum recent news section and in Stemson article comments. What’d ya think?
That is very good but not until 2021?
It depends on how their other results turn out honestly. I’m looking for more results soon.
Well it don’t look bad lol
Be interesting to see some other pictures from Haircell when they become available.
http://puretechhealth.com/images/PureTech-Corporate-Presentation_FINAL-7.26.19.pdf
Look at the deck from 7/23
Page 24 clearly states that topline results expected and fda filing also expected in 2020. I think this is going to be the first real treatment released. Given they have already completed 3 human trials there shouldn’t be a surprise in results. I think this is our best hope
It will be interested to see what drugs Follica is using for the in-clinic version of this treatment. No one knows except them. I’m guessing perhaps some form of retionic acid and lithium.
Am I going crazy or does it seem like everything posted in updates and articles is in trial after trial after trial after trial after trial after trial . Will there be any of these wonderful technologies in my lifetime?
Aclaris Phase II results
https://investor.aclaristx.com/static-files/b86c6123-8309-443a-8045-a555a06cd866
One day we get same result for AGA as well one day!!!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7306489/Pioneering-hair-transplant-therapy-gets-green-light-Government-start-freezing-follicles.html#article-7306489
Looks like Hairclone have made their annoucement, they’ve had their license for follicle banking approved.
I’m hoping your article will contain some further details regarding their timeline for offering DP cell injections.
According to the hairclone website and daily mail news article just released the news is just about the launch of the banking of follicules, no mention of when the expansion and inject preservation treatment would be available …
Admin we are waiting for your insight, for me don’t know , no treatment date no photos people who willing to invest need something more than news we already know everything they published today from your article
Apparently someone on the internet has gotten their hands on ngf and is going to post videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUbtQM71oCc
Unfortunately Brotsu Lotion hasn’t worked for me. I had some very minor growth in the first three months and was hopeful. Now, after nearly 9 months of consistent use, I’ve been experiencing more hair loss and thinning.
Waiting for the next release of a product. Based on reports, it won’t be Shisedo anytime soon. I guess the closest will be Hairclone. My estimation is it will become commercially available for injection until sometime in 2025, after a phase 6 trial. Should be pretty much bald by then . Guess I should register and store up some samples while I’ve got something left. Sigh!
I’m sorry to hear that Dana. A lot of people all across the world were a bit disappointed by the Brotzu lotion as well. Hairclone is definitely an interesting company. I really wish they would have been able to begin injections this year to test their concept from the crowdfunding campaign.
So if you read the bottom of this oage they claim to off the treatment! Any thoughts?
Hair Loss Breakthrough PTD-DBM – Naples Advanced Individualized Medicine
https://www.naplesaim.com/hair-loss-breakthrough-ptd-dbm/
Any updates lately? Aug 2020
I’ll likely do an update about this in August or September. Dr. Choi is still working towards human trials!
Thanks for the update FT! The next few years should be very interesting with the amount of clinical trial results we could potentially be seeing. Also, just to let you know on the updated pipeline you’ve got RCH-01 Estimated market launch listed as 2019/2010.
Have a good weekend!
Thanks thinningontop, I don’t know much you mean about RCH-01 though. The Ultimate Guide Pipeline shows it estimated at 2024 right now…
My bad! was looking at August 2019 somehow – brain-fart on my part!
https://folliclethought.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Hair_Cure_Pipeline_Aug2019.png
No worries bro, thanks for the support! Enjoy the updates 🙂
Just realised, in a previous comment you linked to the Aug2019 update
Admin i cannot link to hairlosstalk,
Does anybody else have this problem??
Thanks!!
This guy messaged me about PTD-DBM on tressless because I ask where do you get it and he sent me this. This isn’t my writing someone on this sub reddit message me this “Contact https://rejuvenationcareclinic.com/ and worked with their doctor there, was very affordable, no consult fee when I joined a couple years ago.
Was reading through ptd-dbm here https://imcwc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Peptide-Catalog.pdf and it seems important to use both VPA and micro needling to create new hair follicles from the wound healing process. The peptide alone won’t do anything”
Any human results for this?
Hello Admin,
You were suppose to say on medicine that is going to release this year. Are you going to publish article on it? Or I misunderstood earlier?
Hi Devit, yes you’re right, I said I would be doing an article by the end of August on that subject. 😉
Great Thanks,
Most awaited article of the month.
Hi Admin,
Is it possible that follica, breezula and samumed could hit the market in 2023, or it is almost certain that they will be released in 2022, and what would cause such a delay.
It’s definitely possible that they could be out in 2023. Could be any number of reasons but let’s hope for the earliest possible release. 🙂
I have a general question I’d love to pick some people brains about. Please feel free to jump in and give me your thoughts!
I’m seriously considering getting a derma pen and starting to microneedle. It seems like there are some decent results online. But it seems that all research I find pairs it with minox. I can’t find any strong research that shows results of microneedling by itself. I’ve been in fin for 2 years and it’s slowed my balding but I stopped taking minox. I mostly just hated the nightly application and up keep. I’d prefer not to go back on it. My two questions are:
1. Thoughts on micro needling in general? Do you think it’s worth it?
2. Will I get results if I do it alone and don’t pair it with minox?
Stef – I’m probably in the minority in my opinion but I think micro needling causes inflammation and scar tissue. Two things that aren’t good for hair.
I am doing in for 1 month only microneedling and scalp massage and I have see new hair coming. I will add saw palmetto maybe 0,2 fun and I will put minoxidil only with the sessions once a week with 1,5mm roller and Sandalore three times a week with 0,5mm needling I order dermapen and hyaluronic serum to try it once a month. I am very optimistic. Try only rolling with scalp and neck massage and you ll see the difference. Also showering only with cold water.
For those interested in which molecule KY19382 really is and which vehicle is being used for transdermal delivery: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339493547_A_Mixed_Micellar_Formulation_for_the_Transdermal_Delivery_of_an_Indirubin_Analog
Hi admin I am looking forward to new article hope something exiting coming soon Any news from University of Wisconsin research (hat) and way 316606 results? sadly my understanding only Samumend is on phase 3 Flollica is very slow moving in phases
I heard from University of Wisconsin researcher at the beginning of August, he says their progress for human trials has been slowed down a good deal this year. My estimation is that a human trial is still possible this year but not exactly “likely.”
Good news they still on track thanks
On Kintor they haven’t started phase2 in China unless typo
Admin, and others, isn’t Tsuji supposed to make another presentation tomorrow?
hello, admin
Is there any updates about tsuji’s lecture today and yesterday?
Hi JK, I tried to attend the lecture but it seemed that non-Japanese residents were blocked from the Zoom meeting. At least this is what I experienced.
For the Wnt pathway, Samumed will have his product on market in 2022. This one is going to be on market in 2030 because phase 1 have yet to begin.
Found a news article on mane biotech but need to be German to access it.
https://www.rundschau-online.de/region/koeln/eine-haarige-angelegenheit-mane-biotech-entwickelt-ein-geraet-gegen-haarausfall-33714878
Thank you again Twenti. These guys are interesting for sure, their stance on media coverage is odd to me.
FDA approves Cassiopeia’s WINLEVI (CB-03-01, 1%) for treatment of acne
https://www.cassiopea.com/2020/08/27/cassiopea-receives-fda-approval-for-winlevi-clascoterone-cream-1-first-in-class-topical-acne-treatment-targeting-the-androgen-receptor/
Follicle thought when do think Follica will be available to the public? Next year? Or longer?
Longer, I’d say. It’s not clear if they’re going to get their trial going by the end of 2020. Possible, though.
Hi Follicle Thought, i believe you said in your SM article that unclear that activating the Wnt pathway to upreg Wnt/β-catenin poses a potential cancer risk. Does this KY’s MoA offer any reasoning for not having the same risk? Thank you
Hi CA, my simple personal opinion is this: these companies going the FDA route have to complete all the necessary toxicity testing to ensure safety beyond reasonable doubt. Samumed’s drug is a rather weak agonist of Wnt, and thus, it poses very little risk of cancer even before all of the testing but they still go through the testing for precautionary measures, naturally. I’m sure KY’s molecule will go through the same scrutiny of testing.
Thank you v much for your speedy response, appreciated. And good to re: the risk.
Has CK Biotechnology taken on a new name CK Regeon? Or any updates?
Yes, the name has changed Thief. Should have an update within the next few weeks. Lots of things brewing around now.
I know it’s still preclinical however do they have ideas of application?
I’m assuming it would be a topical however is the wounding aspect necessary to application?
The wounding aspect sounds that way skycheeseburger per the most recent Q&A. Although, it sounds like a typical microneedling type device would be good enough.
Hopefully it works out. Bit less convenient so hopefully it’s not an every day necessity.
Sound like they are still far away..
Thx for the update tho.
I expect to hear somthing but they didnt deliver any new info to get excited about 🙁
All the good things like hair follicles neogeneration never reach the clinical trails make me sooo angry like why its sooo slow what are they doing all day for the last year?!
They’re lining up their clinical trial. I understand it seems like some companies go slow, it usually all depends how much money they have. KY Choi is trying.
Hey FT,
Thanks for the update. Can’t wait to hear more from them, and their progress.
Also just wondering any word about the minoxidil booster? Is that still in play??
Thanks
Hi Master V, thank you. The minoxi booster is still in play, Dr. Goren told me he’d let me know when it’s going to launch, the last word was that a 3rd party company had licensed it and was going to sell it, so that is probably taking time to fully play out.
Thanks for the response FT! Looking forward to giving it a try. Hopefully it doesn’t take too much time. Lol
I am curious if anyone has the answer to this– I know that cancer is a worrying side effect (lol this seems like a bit of a downplay, but you get the idea) of follicle cloning and transplant (ala Tsuji), but I was wondering if it was also a consideration in these follicle neogenesis studies as well. I am curious as to how such diseases are accounted for in clinical trials. Thanks!
I don’t think there is much of a concern with molecule that Dr. Choi is developing. They do preclinical studies to observe its affect on tissue via pharmacokinetics and toxicity studies.
Thanks!
This reminds me of an american company… I wish I can recall their name …. been a while
@FT is there any update on Rise tech or Mane biotech? I know anything worth would be straight on here but still asking
Thank you
Kapil, no. Rise Technologies told me they are going through the “compliance pathway process”, they will send a newsletter when there is progress.
Everyone asking FT if they’ve heard about project x or know the status of project y has real “are we there yet” vibes.
New interview with prominent company coming this week. Stay tuned.
Is it HopeMed?
No, it’s Kintor.
Can we have a hint?
The hint is wait until Friday 😉 It will likely be out before then.
Good news I hope.
Good interview for sure. The journey continues.
Saddly, severals people tried PTD-DBM and PTD-DBM+Valproic acid : No one get a single “little” result….
It appear to be a new fail….
I appreciate the observation Niko.
Could this chemical help in growing men taller?
https://forum.looksmaxxing.com/threads/ky19382-treatment-f%C3%BCr-baldcels-and-shortcels.6359
https://lookism.net/threads/ky19382-treatment-fuer-baldcels-and-shortcels.777114
https://looksmax.org/threads/ky19382-treatment-fuer-baldcels-and-shortcels.419891
” and has been shown to accelerate bone growth and inhibit adipogenesis (Cha & Choi, 2014; Choi et al., 2014; Zahoor et al., 2014). Furthermore, we recently found that KY19382 elongated tibial length by inactivating GSK‐3β and blocking the binding of CXXC‐type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) and dishevelled (Dvl) (Choi et al., 2019)”
[…] the activity of the PTD-DBM peptide. Head to the main Article page to read a new mini-interview with Dr. Choi of the CK Regeon company while it is stickied to the top of the […]