Protein Therapy to Treat Various Hair Loss Conditions Gets Patent
Research into the treatment of hair loss by The University of Arkansas has resulted in the development of a new drug that it has just been awarded a patent for by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
According to press releases, the patent entitled “Fusion Proteins of Collagen Binding-Domain and Parathyroid Hormone,” was granted to the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, the Ochsner Clinic Foundation and the National University Corporation Kagawa University in Japan. It relates to the invention of a pharmaceutical protein known as BMD-2341 which is believed to treat various forms of hair loss, including alopecia areata and chemotherapy-induced hair fall.
“A derivative of the original drug has an effect in reversing or suppressing hair loss,”said Joshua Sakon, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the U of A, and one of the protein's four co-inventors (pictured). “Specifically, it could be applied to treat alopecia, a condition in which hair loss occurs in patches on the scalp, or in cases of chemically induced alopecia, which occurs during chemotherapy. The drug has been successful in treating hair loss in mice and I look forward to seeing the drug move into clinical trials.”
Sakon and his team were previously awarded a US patent in 2013 for another protein therapeutic discovery. Although that related to the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases, the findings uncovered during this research and development also lead to BMD-2341.
Arkansas-based 'drug discovery' firm, BiologicsMD is the exclusive license-holder for both BMD-2341 and the team's previously patented osteoporosis treatment. The company is developing a range of protein therapeutics and drug/device combination products to treat various hair loss conditions, including male pattern baldness.
Whilst patents have been granted, this does not mean hair loss treatments containing this new protein will be ready to launch any time soon. Generally it takes a number of years to study the effects of any new treatment during clinical trials before it is ready to launch. These trials are vital in order to assess not just how efficient a drug is, but to ensure there are no safety or unknown side effect issues.
Currently there are two clinically-proven hair loss treatments for genetic hair loss; these are finasteride 1mg, which can be used by men only, and minoxidil, which can be used by both men and women.
Although minoxidil is only MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss, it has also been seen to produce significant results for clients with other conditions, including telogen effluvium and mild-to-moderate alopecia areata.
Anyone worried that they are experiencing more shedding than normal, or seeing signs of patchy hair loss should contact a specialist at the earliest opportunity. Professional specialists at a dedicated hair loss clinic will be able to quickly provide an expert diagnosis, treatment recommendations and on-going support for what can be an emotional and sensitive issue.
Pharmaceutical protein BMD-2341
According to press releases, the patent entitled “Fusion Proteins of Collagen Binding-Domain and Parathyroid Hormone,” was granted to the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees, the Ochsner Clinic Foundation and the National University Corporation Kagawa University in Japan. It relates to the invention of a pharmaceutical protein known as BMD-2341 which is believed to treat various forms of hair loss, including alopecia areata and chemotherapy-induced hair fall.
“A derivative of the original drug has an effect in reversing or suppressing hair loss,”said Joshua Sakon, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the U of A, and one of the protein's four co-inventors (pictured). “Specifically, it could be applied to treat alopecia, a condition in which hair loss occurs in patches on the scalp, or in cases of chemically induced alopecia, which occurs during chemotherapy. The drug has been successful in treating hair loss in mice and I look forward to seeing the drug move into clinical trials.”
Discovered following osteoporosis research
Sakon and his team were previously awarded a US patent in 2013 for another protein therapeutic discovery. Although that related to the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases, the findings uncovered during this research and development also lead to BMD-2341.
Arkansas-based 'drug discovery' firm, BiologicsMD is the exclusive license-holder for both BMD-2341 and the team's previously patented osteoporosis treatment. The company is developing a range of protein therapeutics and drug/device combination products to treat various hair loss conditions, including male pattern baldness.
Current hair loss treatment options
Whilst patents have been granted, this does not mean hair loss treatments containing this new protein will be ready to launch any time soon. Generally it takes a number of years to study the effects of any new treatment during clinical trials before it is ready to launch. These trials are vital in order to assess not just how efficient a drug is, but to ensure there are no safety or unknown side effect issues.
Currently there are two clinically-proven hair loss treatments for genetic hair loss; these are finasteride 1mg, which can be used by men only, and minoxidil, which can be used by both men and women.
Although minoxidil is only MHRA-licensed and FDA-approved for the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss, it has also been seen to produce significant results for clients with other conditions, including telogen effluvium and mild-to-moderate alopecia areata.
Anyone worried that they are experiencing more shedding than normal, or seeing signs of patchy hair loss should contact a specialist at the earliest opportunity. Professional specialists at a dedicated hair loss clinic will be able to quickly provide an expert diagnosis, treatment recommendations and on-going support for what can be an emotional and sensitive issue.
The Belgravia Centre
The Belgravia Centre is a world-renowned group of a hair loss clinic in Central London, UK. If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation with a hair loss expert or complete our Online Consultation from anywhere in the world for home-use treatment.
View our Hair Loss Success Stories, which includes the world's largest gallery of hair growth photos and demonstrates the level of success that so many of Belgravia's patients achieve.
