3D Organoids, AttisLab

AttisLab: 3D Organoids and Hair Growth

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I cannot go more than three months without writing about yet another new South Korean company involved in curing hair loss. The latest one is AttisLab, which comes less than two months after I wrote about Kangstem Biotech.

Atti Lab
Attis Lab website screenshot with CEO and co-founder Dong Ha Bhang’s bio.

AttisLab: 3D Organoid Culturing and Hair Growth

AttisLab (also called Attis Lab) was founded in South Korea in 2019, but is only now becoming better known (h/t “Theo”). Their technology entails 3D organoid culturing, just like Kangstem’s hair follicle organoids.

The company’s co-founder and CEO Dr. Dong Ha Bhang gave an interesting interview in December 2023 that is worth reading after translation. I highlight the key points further below.

Note that Mr. Bhang completed his Postsdoc at the University of Pennsylvania. The other co-founder Dr. Kwan-Hyuck Baek is a research fellow at Harvard Medical school. Several of their advisors work at Columbia University. Their VP Thorsten Sperber is a highly experienced scientist and biopharma consultant.

I was 50/50 about covering this startup company so soon. However, when I saw their entire team listing, I got more curious. Of most interest to me, their CEO, head researcher, a scientist and an advisor all undertook research at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The latter is home to George Cotsarelis, and is perhaps the premier hair and skin related research center in the US.

Interestingly, CEO Dong Ha Bhang also runs Biattic, which is geared towards improving animal health and life. One of the paragraphs on their site is applicable to most developed nations today:

While the number of family members is decreasing, the interest in pets has increased. The number of pets in South Korea has reached 10 million.

3D Organoids versus 3D Spheroids

Make sure to also check out my past posts on 3D culturing and 3D spheroids. Note that 3D organoids are not the same as 3D spheroids. Organoids are advanced mini-organs that are far more complex and very similar to real organs. You can read more about 3D organoids versus 3D spheroids here.

Early Commercialization of Hair Loss and Wrinkle Treatments

AttisLab’s main long-term goal is the treatment of cancer and the disease of various organs such as the kidney and liver. However, hair loss is more likely to be treated in the near term per the CEO interview. Some other highlights:

  • Among the technologies owned by AttisLab, hair loss and skin improvement (wrinkle treatment) are areas that can be commercialized early.
  • The company plans to enter the Japanese medical market first via commercializing autologous stem cell treatments. This is due to Japan’s cell therapy sector being at an advanced stage of development. AttisLab will provide treatments through a regenerative medicine hospital in Tokyo.
  • They are also in the process of entering the United States hair loss treatment market due to its large size.
  • In its home nation of South Korea, the regenerative medicine legal framework was only enacted relatively recently, AttisLab expects this system to improve rapidly.
  • In November 2023, Attis Lab attracted a $2.4 million investment from a US based investment corporation.
  • The hair loss treatment will use autologous adult hair follicle stem cells, so it will be safe and pain free. Adult hair follicle stem cells will be cultured as 3D organoids and preserved through a cell storage system. These cells can be continuously replenished if additional treatments are needed.

Key quote from CEO Bhang:

“Compared to other companies researching stem cells, AttisLab’s autologous adult stem cell culture technology allows for mass culture that is approximately 1,000 to 100,000 times more efficient using 3D cell culture technology.”

On AttisLab’s website, I also noticed the following statement:

We succeeded in the mass production of stem cells using 3D organoid culture technology. Utilizing this feat, we are currently in the process of developing personalized cell therapy using various types of stem cells.

As always, we can’t take any of this very seriously until clinical trials begin. Or unless the company can proceed without any trials in Japan in the future due to the autologous nature of this procedure. In either case, it is always great to see companies that are started and led by highly experienced scientists.

The Hairy Pill, Rodney Sinclair

The Hairy Pill and Dr. Rodney Sinclair

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Hair Loss Combination Hairy Pill
One hair loss combination pill to rule them all.

My popular post on oral Minoxidil for hair loss is updated regularly and I even use that medication for my own hair loss. One of the main proponents of low-dose oral Minoxidil (LDOM) is Dr. Rodney Sinclair of Australia. He is a world renowned dermatologist and hair loss specialist. In 2019, he released a product called “The Hairy Pill” that contains LDOM, Finasteride or Dutasteride, vitamins and amino acids.

I originally wrote this post in 2020, and have added some new updates throughout.

  • A great Hairy Pill testimonial from 2023 on Reddit that shows excellent before and after 6-month results. The crown hair regrowth on this 31-year old male is exceptional.
  • A local Australian news story from 2023 with before and after photos from a guy who had Norwood 7 hair loss. He recovered most of his hair other than part of the frontal hairline.

The Hairy Pill®

In 2019, a company associated with Dr. Sinclair released something called The Hairy Pill (registered trademark). While the company website does not seem to mention oral Minoxidil, the pill does contain Minoxidil as the key ingredient. Some online discussions suggest it also contains Finasteride, but I am not as yet certain. Update: Now verified per company response at the bottom of this post.

The Hairy Pill results page (link no longer there) has many before and after photos, of both men and women. Also make sure to visit their Instagram page and their Facebook page.

The reason I decided to write about this pill today is due to the following Australian video that was just released:

Ratings

  • So far, the Google reviews and ratings for The Hairy Pill are a perfect 5/5 stars. Even after accounting for fake reviews, it is rare to see Google reviews averaging 5 stars. I am sure this rating will decline going forward. Update: I no longer see the below on Google.
The Hairy Pill Reviews
The Hairy Pill Google Reviews.

The Hairy Pill Cost and Side Effects

The monthly cost of 30 Hairy Pill capsules tablets is AU $75 for both males and females. You supposedly get personalized dosing and doctor consultations every 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and beyond. Sounds very professional, even though I would prefer them declaring the ingredients with full transparency.

It does not seem like anyone is reporting serious side effects so far, based on all the customer reviews that I read. According to the company itself:

“The underlying technology of The Hairy Pill® has been clinically tested by Professor Sinclair and his team via his clinical research company Samson Clinical.”

Note that I do not get any kind of commission from this product, and have not tried it myself. I assume that “The Hairy Pill” is available for shipping worldwide, but need to get confirmation.

Update from the Manufacturer

The manufacturer sent me the following e-mail summarizing their product:

The Hairy Pill® for men is a pharmaceutical compound in one single pill, which you would take daily, containing:

  • A starting dose of Minoxidil (low if the patient has never had oral Minoxidil before or a converted dose if the patient is taking topical Minoxidil) to stimulate hair growth, reduce thinning/loss and increase and thicken your hair.
  • A starting dose of Finasteride (low if the patient has never had it before or matching if the patient is currently taking Finasteride); OR Dutasteride (depending on the patient and severity of hair loss) to stop your hair loss in its tracks.
  • A collection of vitamins to promote healthy hair. Your hair is alive, so the healthier you are, the better your hair will be.
  • A collection of elements for regenerative purposes. These elements assist in strengthening and improving your hair as it grows.
  • A collection of amino acids (proteins) to provide the building blocks for the above active ingredients. These proteins assist in the building of your hair follicles.

Please note that since the pill is compounded each time, the doctor can add or exclude ingredients as needed. Some patients choose to have both active ingredients in the pill (Finasteride OR Dutasteride + Minoxidil combination), and some choose to have the one active ingredient (Minoxidil). Either option provides an effective treatment.

The women’s version also includes Spironolactone.