Recently, I wrote a post on microRNA (miRNA) and hair growth. In there, I also discusses messenger RNA (mRNA). Now we have RNA interference (RNAi) as a hair loss treatment. Thanks to OliX Pharmaceuticals (South Korea).
Update: August 2021 — OliX gets Notice of Allowance from US Patent and Trademark Office for OLX104C.
OliX Pharmaceuticals RNAi Hair Loss Product OLX104C
OliX Pharmaceuticals (South Korea) just made a major announcement. Their RNAi based hair loss product OLX104C successfully grew back hair in mice following just one single injection. The mice were suffering from androgenetic alopecia due to them being given excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
“We are advancing a novel and potentially durable approach to treating hair loss” — CEO Dong Ki Lee
In this preclinical study, OLX104C was administered topically to a mouse model via an injection. The before and after photos are amazing. Interestingly, they compare the results to the anti-androgen Flutamide.
More importantly, OliX is the real deal. Their news page is very impressive with regular significant developments. This includes raising $37.2 million in December 2020 (h/t reader “James”). They also received US FDA Phase 2a approval in November, 2020 to treat hypertrophic scars.
siRNA
On OliX’s pipeline page, they state that small interfering RNA (siRNA) has limitations in terms of stability, delivery and toxicity. This is not a problem with RNAi therapeutics. Edit: Per the patent, they are using asymmetric siRNA to inhibit male pattern hair loss gene expression.
Update: OliX signs agreement with LGC Biosearch Technologies to accelerate production of asymmetric siRNA for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. Dr. Lee will present at today’s SMi’s 12th Annual RNA Therapeutics virtual conference. He will discuss OLX104C at this event. OliX plans to initiate clinical trials of OLX104C “by 2022”.
Update: January 2022 — A new South Korean company named siRNAgen Therapeutics (a subsidiary of Bioneer) is developing a SAMiRNA based hair loss product. SAMiRNA is a new type of siRNA nanoparticle that does not result in innate immune stimulation.
Update: March 2022 — Bioneer updates us on its new CosmeRNA product. Looks like they might launch it in South Korea and Germany (plus EU) this year.
“Cosmerna is the world’s first short-interfering RNA (siRNA) gene technology-based functional cosmetic for alleviating hair loss symptoms”.
Hundreds of millions of people around the world will take mRNA vaccines during the next several years. In effect, this will speed up scientific progress and cause many to not worry about long-term side effects. Perhaps a mistake, but I will selfishly not complain too much if it speeds up the realization of a hair loss cure.
Another product we won’t get before 2030. Looking for samumed in 2022, our only hope in the short term.
Or you just wait for the Phase I results and then buy it on the grey market.
Admin if tsuji were to go to human trials what’s the approval timeframe like? You said it would be fast tracked but how many years would it actually take for them to release to us?
At this point, they cannot finish Phase 1 in 2021 even if they get the funding before summer. Best case would be 2022. Then you have to assume that the data from Phase 1 was positive in humans. And no safety issues.
Then they would need to raise funds again for Phase 2. In Japan, there is a good chance that no Phase 3 is not required for autologous hair regeneration. So perhaps absolute best case is 2024 if everything goes perfect?
In any case, all speculations this early are pointless as they will inevitable have delays. Who would have ever guessed that Organ Technologies would back out? Despite the successful outcome shown in the recent paper.
Accurate I think. The best thing about it is, that RIKEN said they are ready for human trials NOW. Meaning no R&D anymore.
And how long could that trial take them? I mean you extract follicles, cultivate and amplify the cells and transplant/inject the germ. Look at efficacy and safety and validate the results. For example Histogen didn’t need more than 4 months for their 2020 trial. I think it is realistic that the first trial doesn’t need more than 6 months. If everything goes well, a 2021 result is not impossible.
By the way, that OLIX, who nobody heard of before, looks like the real deal. Makes me wonder where Exicure stands, with a 25 million dollar funding they should be on to something. Last year I thought to myself after the OrganTech disappointment, who knows if gene-therapies are coming before cell-therapies. There’s 3 legit companies are working on it: Olix, Moogene, Exicure.
Here is a question for anyone who has a medical degree. So these mice are injected with high dht. Claimed to give them aga. Wouid high dht level give you AGA? I always thought it was the sensitivity to dht not the levels that matter. Several of my Greek and middle eastern friends have body hair thick beards etc. Super high dht but no balding in their family. So these mice developed real aga or are they just shaved to the skin, no miniaturization, loaded with dht to mimic aga? If this is the case then of course all these mice studies grow their hair back since it was just shaved and not miniaturized. If this is the case then this study is bogus and doesn’t count.
What is everyone’s thoughts?
Hairlosscure2020 can you use your influence to spread awareness of the funding/donation threshold Tsujis team has requested? I’m sure a lot of us would be willing to make a donation but we don’t know how and the logistics regarding it
I already e-mailed Tsuji and Riken and notified them that Allergan invested in 4 hair loss companies since 2018. Worth contacting them in case they want to add one more.
Was debating on adding some kind of notification on the blog, but not yet sure. I will ask the Tsuji team if they have an easy way to collect donations. I would definitely not want to be involved in any collection of funds.
Edit: I also asked them to start a GoFundMe if it made sense.
Interesting Chinese article from today:
http://www.guangzhoukj.com/djch/news_2071.html
This is positive news. That said… Last week, I helped a mouse to regrow hair by feeding it Cheetos. This may have implications for humans, and it could be available in 5 years. Please invest your money.