HairDX Launches European Branch

HairDX — a pioneer in the development of new genetic tests for accurately predicting male and female hair lossa — announced recently the launch of a European subsidiary, HairDX Europe. HairDX is a subsidiary of PharmaGenoma, Inc., a “pharmacogenomics” research and development company based in Irvine, California, and Hasselt, Belgium.

“HairDX Europe expands the company’s leadership in hair dermatology, and global availability of the genetic tests for Androgenetic Alopecia,” the company said in a statement. “This follows the recent announcement of distribution agreements with Biodue in Italy, and Aderans in Japan. HairDX’s revolutionary genetic tests in Italy, and further expands the company’s leadership in the dermatology of hair.”

HairDX spokesmen announced that Dirk Segers will serve as president of HairDX Europe. He has worked and managed European subsidiaries for U.S. based medical device start-up companies, and brings 18 years of experience in clinical, sales and marketing management. Segers also founded a consulting company called Euramedics bvba and has worked previously at ValleyLab, Colorado, a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc. He holds a Master of Science in Nuclear Physics, a Master in Quantitative Business and a Master of Business Administration.

“The launch of HairDX Europe solidifies PharmaGenoma’s position as a global pioneer in genetic testing and molecular dermatology,” says Segers. “Having a Belgian office will enable HairDX to expand its reach throughout the continent.”

HairDX’s easy to use genetic test provides an accurate and understandable genetic analysis of a man’s or woman’s likelihood of developing Androgenetic Alopecia, the most common type of hair loss.

“We are very excited to introduce the HairDX’s genetic test throughout Europe,” Andy Goren, President & CEO of PharmaGenoma, Inc. “As the first genetic test for baldness, it will be of great help to Dermatologists offer earlier hair loss treatment to their patients.”

About HairDX, LLC

HairDX, LLC (www.hairdx.com and Twitter: HairDX) is a subsidiary of PharmaGenoma, Inc. Based in Irvine, CA, USA. HairDX is a molecular dermatology research and development company. HairDX markets the first genetic test for male and female hair loss. The company is dedicated to the research and development of new prescription based therapies tailored to an individual’s genetic make up. HairDX uses only CLIA certified laboratories (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) to perform the genetic analysis. The HairDX test collection kit is listed with Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class I medical device.

Among HairDX leaders is William V. Murray former Division President of the Molecular Biology Division of Applied BioSystems, Inc., who formerly served in various executive leadership positions within Medtronic, Inc., Andy Goren former CEO of MobileWise, Inc. and GeePS, Inc., Professor Doron Lancet, PhD, Head of the Crown Human Genome Center at the Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Dr. Elon Pras, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center in Tel-Hashomer, Israel, Sharon Keene, MD and President and Medical Director of Physician’s Hair Institute, in Tucson, Arizona and nationally recognized for her pioneering work in the hair transplant field, and Elliott J. Stein, an intellectual property attorney and co-founder of GeePS, Inc.

HairDX Announces New and Improved Genetic Test for Hair Loss

The folks at HairDX, which announced last January a genetic test for identifying future hair loss or Male Pattern Baldness, announced a new and improved version that builds on recent genetic discoveries.

According to the company, using the HairDX test a physician can tell a man who tests positive for the high risk genetic variant that he has approximately a 70% chance of going bald. Similarly, a physician can tell a man who tests negative for the high risk genetic variant that he has approximately a 70% chance of not going bald. The HairDX test is available immediately through qualified physicians’ offices.

HairDX is a subsidiary of PharmaGenoma, Inc., a “pharmacogenomics research and development innovator.”

“The next generation test report is based on a pooled data model from multiple peer reviewed studies of over 2,000 Caucasian men,” said Andy Goren, HairDX Chairman and Co-Founder. “The studies demonstrated the association between the genetic variants measured by the HairDX genetic screening test and the development of Androgenetic Alopecia in men.”

In addition to the improved clinical validity and utility, the HairDX genetic test now includes genetic markers on the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene as well as on Chromosome 20.

“A recent study demonstrated that Propecia©, the only FDA approved oral prescription medication for the treatment of male pattern baldness, is effective at preventing hair loss over a period of several years,” said Dr. Sharon Keene, Chief Medical Officer for HairDX and former Chairman of the Annual Scientific Committee of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. “Doctors using the HairDX genetic screening test can offer a treatment plan to prevent hair loss in men of all ages before any visible signs of hair loss.”

So, what difference can the HairDX test make — practically speaking? According to Keene and others, visible signs of hair loss usually mean that a man has already lost up to 50% of their hair. Early detection via the HairDX genetic screening test, they say, provides an opportunity for “intervention and treatment” before it is too late.

The next generation screening test identifies approximately 70% of men that will benefit from early treatment. As with any screening test, some men will be identified for treatment even though they may not go bald. Confirmatory tests by a qualified physician will eliminate unnecessary treatment.

For more info on the test, visit HairDX’s website at http://hairdx.com.