The American biopharmaceutical company Veradermics announced successful results from a late-stage clinical trial of the oral drug VDPHL01 for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. According to the company, the drug demonstrated a statistically significant increase in hair count compared to a placebo after six months of treatment.
More than 500 men with mild to moderate male-pattern baldness participated in the Phase III trial. The investigational drug is an oral form of minoxidil with extended-release of the active ingredient.
According to data published by the company, after six months, the average increase in hair count in the target area of the scalp was 28.6 hairs per square centimeter when the drug was taken once daily and 36.4 hairs per square centimeter when taken twice daily. In the placebo group, the figure was 6.6 hairs per square centimeter. The differences between the groups were statistically significant.
Visible improvement in hair condition was reported by 78.8% of participants in the once-daily group and 85% of participants in the twice-daily group, compared with 35.3% in the placebo group. According to the company, the treatment was generally well tolerated, and no new safety signals were identified during the study.
Minoxidil is already used to treat hair loss, particularly in the form of topical solutions applied to the scalp. Veradermics’ formulation is distinguished by its oral administration and sustained-release technology for the active ingredient.
The company expects that VDPHL01 could become a new treatment option for androgenetic alopecia. However, the clinical trial results alone do not mean that the drug has already received marketing approval; its future depends on regulatory review.
Following the publication of the results, Veradermics shares rose 7.5% to $117 per share in pre-market trading on October 19.
Source: clinical trial data — company filings with the SEC.
