Update on Intercytex’s Hair Cloning Clinical Trials

The folks over at HairLossLearningCenter.org had an interesting post recently about Intercytex’s progress in developing a practical hair cloning technology. As they say, Intercytex is already into Phase 2 testing:

Intercytex has been working on hair cloning and multiplication for some time. The hair regeneration process includes an initial 30 minute procedure extracting a small sample of hair follicles containing cells responsible for generating hair growth called derma papilla (DP) cells. These derma papilla (DP) cells are then sent to a lab, separated from the follicle, cultured and cloned which takes approximately 3 weeks. The balding patient then returns to the clinic where they will receive a series of microinjections containing DP cells under local anesthetic. As DP cells come in close proximity with epithelial cells, new hair follicles are produced. New hair growth should become evident in approximately 3 months.

Phase I and Phase II testing have been completed. During Phase I, 5 out of 7 patients received an increase in hair count after the procedure. Phase II was conducted by Coalition member Dr. Bessam Farjo in Manchester. In this trial, two sub-groups were formed with five subjects in the first and nine in the second. Hair counts were obtained from each patient in each test group and were then injected with DP cells using distinct delivery methods. The scalps of one sub-group were stimulated during the delivery, the other was not. The sub-group without stimulation showed a 60% increase in hair count while the sub-group with stimulation showed an 89% increase in hair count. Phase II proves the earlier hypothesis that new hair growth is improved with pre-stimulation of the scalp. During the first quarter of 2009, photographic data will be analyzed on all subjects at one year.

These tests, though promising, don’t conclude the clinical trials. Intercytex is looking to partner with interested parties in order to continue with development. For more information, go to Intercytex’s website at http://www.intercytex.com/icx/products/aesthetic/icxtrc/.