Category Archives: Latanoprost

Latanoprost, Minoxidil, Topical Finasteride, Triple Hair

Triple Hair Therapy-07 Phase 3 Clinical Trials Soon

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Triple Hair is a Canadian biotechnology company that is developing new topical treatments for men and women who suffer from androgenic alopecia. A number of people have mentioned this company in the comments in recent years.

Triple Hair
Triple Hair Logo.

Triple Hair: Therapy-07 for Hair Growth

Triple Hair’s main product is a prescription triple combination topical called Therapy-07. It contains minoxidil, finasteride and latanoprost (a prostaglandin F2α analog). It is currently sold via Texas-based Pharmacy Solutions.

When I first read about Therapy-07, while it seemed interesting, it did not sound like anything special to me. The reason is because we are now spoiled for choice when it comes to online purchase options of topical finasteride containing hair loss products that also include minoxidil and other key ingredients.

  • In fact HairStim (US) already makes a product that contains minoxidil, finasteride and latanoprost. As well as other combinations that include spironolactone and resveratrol.
  • Another US-based company named Aneira Pharma is working a product that includes latanoprost, minoxidil and various other ingredients.
  • Dermaliq (US) is preparing for Phase clinical trials for its prostaglandin F2α analogue topical hair growth product DLQ01 that is thought to contain latanoprost.

Phase 3 Clinical Trial Approvals in Europe and Canada

However, today I changed my mind slightly after reader “John Doe” e-mailed me to notify that Triple Hair has just received EMA approval to start phase III clinical trials for its Therapy-07 prescription drug in Europe.

Do note that in June 2023, Triple Hair already received approval to begin phase III clinical trials in Canada. At the time, company CEO Jean-Philippe Gravel said that they were also awaiting similar approvals in the US and Europe. As soon as all approvals are obtained they planned to begin the final trials.

So far, among the many companies selling topical finasteride for hair loss, only Almirall (Spain) has gone through the entire three stage clinical trial process. The expenses to go through three trials for a topical hair loss porduct is generally not justifiable to investors. Especially with key ingredients such as finasteride and minoxidil.

Therapy-16

Triple Hair also sells an over-the-counter hair loss product called Therapy-16. For men, it is sold via the brand name Rizn. It is a drug-free once a day formula that is made with natural ingredients. They sell a RIZN Hair Density Spray and RIZN Hair Complex pills. The woman’s Therapy-16 Hair Densifying Spray product goes by the brand name Plenty Natural. Is contains Japanese knotweed, melatonin and peasprout extracts.

Interestingly, the company claims that these products reduce Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels, which aid hair growth. I discussed the positive impact of decreasing PGD2 on hair growth in several posts in the past. However, I am skeptical about how big an impact natural products can have on scalp PGD2 levels.

Latanoprost, PGF2a, Prostaglandin Analog, Prostaglandin F2α

New Latanoprost for Hair Growth Trial

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Edit: It seems like this trial is for Dermaliq’s DLQ01 product.

In my old posts on Bimatoprost, I mentioned the related glaucoma drug Latanoprost. While Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide analog, Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog and it prolongs the anagen phase of the hair cycle via the prostaglandin effect.

Latanoprost Hair Growth
Latanoprost for hair growth trial at Sinclair Clinic. Source: 9News Australia.

Latanoprost for Hair Growth Trial

The renowned Dr. Rodney Sinclair and his Melbourne based Sinclair Dermatology clinic will test Latanoprost eye drops for hair growth in a new clinical trial. I have covered Dr. Sinclair numerous times on this blog, including in my post on “Oral Minoxidil“. Most recently, his clinic has taken the lead in testing Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 prolactin receptor antibody.

Latanoprost (sold under the brand name Xalatan) is a medication that is used to treat increased pressure inside the eye. This includes ocular hypertension and glaucoma. It was approved for medical use in the US in 1996. However, it is not FDA approved to treat hair loss. One of the noted side effects of Latanoprost (off-label use) is an increase in the thickness and density of eyelash hair.

However, this type of cosmetic use near the eye region can come with serious side effects in the eyes. Moreover:

“The overgrowth of lashes may result in lash misdirection and distichiasis, and an extra row of hair at the aperture of the meibomian glands that can result in eye irritation.”

Prostaglandin Analogs

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α or PGF2a) analog, similar to Travoprost and Tafluprost. A 2012 German study of 16 men with androgenetic alopecia found that Latanoprost significantly increased hair density (terminal and vellus hairs) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. A 2015 review concluded that the most promising alternative clinical uses of prostaglandin F2α analogs beyond the eyelashes include: androgenic alopecia; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; and alopecia areata.

Even over 20 years ago, a detailed 2002 study on stump-tailed macaques found that Latanoprost had a potent positive effect on hair growth. Note that Aneira Pharma is developing a hair loss product that will likely contain Latanoprost, Cyclosporine and Minoxidil.

Also, Dermaliq Therapeutics (US) is working on a topical Prostaglandin F2α analogue product for male pattern baldness. I covered the company in my post on increasing PGE2 and PGF2α for hair growth. On a related note, make sure to read my posts on PGD2 inhibition for hair growth.

Misplaced Skepticism

Most readers are skeptical about existing drugs such as Bimatoprost and Latanoprost doing much for scalp hair growth. However, in my opinion, we should welcome every new mechanism of targeting hair regrowth. Even if each one is “only” as effective as the tried and tested topical Minoxidil.

Some products might just make existing hair thicker rather than re-grow lost hair. However, this thicker scalp hair is then less easily destructible by the ravages of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Moreover, if we have many different alternatives to tackle hair loss, the chances are that each of us can find at least three products that cause him or her no side effects.

Ultimately, a cocktail of topical products could multiply the hair growth effect. A number of new companies that sell topical finasteride are also including Latanoprost as part of the ingredients. Delivery mechanisms continue to improve, resulting in superior product absorption and penetration into the scalp.