Dermaliq Therapeutics, Latanoprost, PGF2a, Prostaglandin F2α

Dermaliq Therapeutics DLQ01 Prostaglandin F2α Analogue Topical

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Update: Official announcement published on July 16. Better results than Minoxidil, and very optimistic statements regarding pursuing final clinical trials:

  • DLQ01 treatment increased total area hair count (TAHC) by 12.3% from baseline.
  • 83% of subjects responded with a positive increase in hair growth.
  • The comparator drug minoxidil increased TAHC by 9.8% from baseline.

Still no mention of Latanoprost. They just say that DLQ01 is a prostaglandin F2α analog, based on Dermaliq’s novel hyliQ® technology. The latter enables targeted rapid delivery of active ingredients into hair follicles.

July 15, 2024

Dermaliq Logo

Dermaliq Therapeutics DLQ01: Phase 2 Clinical Trials Successful

I first mentioned Dermaliq Therapeutics in a 2022 update to my 2020 post on increasing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (also called PGF2α or PGF2 alpha) for hair growth. The US-based privately-held company is working on a topical Prostaglandin F2α analogue hair growth product called DLQ01 (thought to contain latanoprost). It is based on Dermaliq’s novel and proprietary platform technology called hyliQ®.

The company claims that hyliQ “offers cutaneous drug delivery with unmatched bioavailability for a wide range of pharmaceutical actives”. In 2022, Dermaliq started Phase 1b/2a clinical trials for DLQ01 at Sinclair Dermatology in Melbourne, Australia. This clinic is run by the renowned dermatologist Dr. Rodney Sinclair, who I have written about numerous times in the past.

Dermaliq Therapeutics DLQ01
Dermaliq Therapeutics DLQ01 topical formulation of a prostaglandin F2α analog in hyliQ®.

Earlier today, reader “John Doe” found an update on Dermaliq’s pipeline page which suggests that Phase 2 trials are finished and the results were very good. See the above screenshot. It says the following:

“DLQ01 Phase 2 data has impressively demonstrated its superior efficacy. The number of hairs in the target area increased effectively with high statistical significance compared to the vehicle. More than 80% of subjects responded with a positive change in hair growth. We are continuing clinical development based on a clear regulatory pathway to approval.”

To me, this signals that Phase 3 clinical trials are now a certainty. The company’s news page has not been updated since December 2022, but I suspect that this will change soon.

Note that DLQ01 is said to grow hair in both men and women suffering from androgenetic alopecia (aka male and female pattern baldness). According to Dr. Betsy Hughes-Formella (Chief Scientific Officer at Dermaliq):

“Dermaliq’s hyliQ® technology has the potential to transform follicular and dermal delivery of a broad range of active ingredients. DLQ01 is just the start of a promising pipeline targeting follicular delivery.”

Prostaglandin F2α Analogue Latanoprost

Prostaglandin F2α analogue Latanoprost has already proven to grow eyelash hair longer and thicker. Latanoprost (brand name Xalatan) is a medication that is meant to be used to treat glaucoma  and hypertension in the eyes. It was approved for medical use in the US in 1996. The eyelash hair growth (and darkening) was a notable side effect.

Several companies are developing combination hair growth products based on Latanoprost. The most promising of these is Triple Hair (Canada), which is on the verge of commencing Phase 3 clinical trials. Another company called Aneira Pharma (US) does not seem to have updated it website for several years. However, the company’s hair growth related patent applications are still being updated as of 2024 (h/t “John Doe”).

Hair Follicle Stem Cells, miR-205

Softening Stiff Hair Follicle Stem Cells to Regrow Hair

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Update: July 12, 2024

In a pleasant surprise, we have an update on miR-205 for hair growth. Apparently, human clinical trials are set to commence “immediately” and “straight way” according to Trinity professor Luke O’Neill. It seems like the trials may test tablets as well as a cream or topical ointment.

June 6, 2023

MicroRNA-205 (miR-205) Promotes Hair Regeneration

Last month, an interesting new study was published in PNAS that was titled “MicroRNA-205 (miR-205) promotes hair regeneration by modulating mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells”.

It seems like hair follicle stem cells become stiff with age, just like the rest of your body. MicroRNA (miRNA) can reverse the stiffness and regrow hair, at least in mice. Make sure to also read my past detailed post on MicroRNA and hair growth.

Softening Stiff Hair Follicles with MicroRNA.
Softening stiff hair follicle stem cells with microRNA (miR-205) regrows hair. Source: PNAS.

Softening Stiff Hair Follicle Stem Cells Regrows Hair

This latest study was led by scientists from Northwestern University School of Medicine (US), with significant contribution from Singapore’s A*Star) too. Neuroscience News has a succinct summary on the findings (h/t “curious”). In essence:

  1. Hair follicle stem cells become stiff and hardened with age, thus hindering hair growth.
  2. Northwestern scientists have discovered a way to soften these stem cells by increasing the production of miR-205. This in turn promotes hair regrowth in mice.
  3. Future experiments will investigate if humans see similar hair growth results after the topical application of miR-205 on scalp hair. The delivery will be done by nanoparticles.

MicroRNA-205 and Hair Regrowth

When the researchers genetically manipulated hair stem cells to produce more of a “tiny RNA” termed miR-205, it promoted hair regrowth in both young and old mice. It did this via mild and reversible downregulation of many genes. This in turn relaxed the hardened cells and promoted cell cycle reentry and hair regeneration.

Moreover, per a quote from the corresponding author Rui Yi:

“These are not new stem cells being generated. We are stimulating the existing stem cells to grow hair. A lot of times we still have stem cells, but they may not be able to generate the hair.”

Interestingly, when people’s arteries get stiff with age, they get high blood pressure. Anti-hypertensive medications (such as oral Minoxidil) enable the relaxation of blood vessels. Topical Minoxidil also causes vasodilation (i.e., the widening of blood vessels).