So how close are we to a new 'cure'

[cichlidfort]

Also, FGF9 doesn't need to go through pre clinical testing and approval because it's already an FDA approved chemical...

That's why, best case scenario we could see this hit the market in 2 years...doubtful, but possible.

Bingo

[FearTheLoss]

I dunno if I'm missing something here but I thought Follica did actually grow hair on a human being using this FGF-9 method. That's why it was such a big deal since virtually anyone can regrow hair on some lab mouse. I'm not sure if it was part of a phased clinical trial or if it was done on the down-low, but I'm pretty sure that hair was regrown on a human being.

Also, FGF9 doesn't need to go through pre clinical testing and approval because it's already an FDA approved chemical...

That's why, best case scenario we could see this hit the market in 2 years...doubtful, but possible.

[DepressedByHairLoss]

I dunno if I'm missing something here but I thought Follica did actually grow hair on a human being using this FGF-9 method. That's why it was such a big deal since virtually anyone can regrow hair on some lab mouse. I'm not sure if it was part of a phased clinical trial or if it was done on the down-low, but I'm pretty sure that hair was regrown on a human being.

[Arashi]

7 to 8 years? Are you on crack?

2-3 years max.

You agree that Follica hasn't even started Phase I ? Clinical trials run for years, a lot of times companies add extra phases and then they need time to design each phase, get each phase approved, recruit people (for every phase) and finally get the product to market. Unfortunately, yes, this does mean a 7-8 year timeframe.

[Desmond84]

Yup exactly ! Jahoda's 3d sphere's were a huge breakthrough. Also note this huge news from a few days ago, where a group of US researchers succeeded at creating an inner ear (including sensory hairs !) where again the 3d culture enviroment was the key to success: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0710141852.htm ->
"Previous attempts to "grow" inner-ear hair cells in standard cell culture systems have worked poorly in part because necessary cues to develop hair bundles -- a hallmark of sensory hair cells and a structure critically important for detecting auditory or vestibular signals -- are lacking in the flat cell-culture dish. But, Dr. Hashino said, the team determined that the cells needed to be suspended as aggregates in a specialized culture medium, which provided an environment more like that found in the body during early development."

and

"We were surprised to see that once stem cells are guided to become inner-ear precursors and placed in 3-D culture, these cells behave as if they knew not only how to become different cell types in the inner ear, but also how to self-organize into a pattern remarkably similar to the native inner ear," Dr. Hashino said"

Yeah I did man! Very exciting times Every single day, we make another major breakthrough in stem cell research. Stem cells will change the world as we know it. Defying death and ageing will be one of the hot topics in the years to come.

My personal view is we will see 'true' human hair neogenesis by 2020 and it will roll out to patients within the next 10 ± 2 years.

Until then we have to stay strong and do the best we can with the treatments that are available!

Don't forget if they can regrow our hair follicles, they can regrow our kidneys, liver, heart, etc....we will be around for a very long time to come and sporting our mohawks like a boss

No point being down about it! We got dealt one bad card but we still have some bad ass cards left: Our Youth, Health and Vitality! Use these cards well and more luck will come soon enough.

[BoSox]

Exactly. I'm pretty sure they're still in pre-clinical stage, otherwise their trial would show up on clinicaltrials.gov. Thus Follica is at least 7-8 years from having a product on the market.

7 to 8 years? Are you on crack?

2-3 years max.

[Arashi]

Spot on Arashi

And let's NOT forget Tsuji team was using Dermal Papillae cells as well as Epidermal cells! Mass producing DP cells and maintaining their trichogenicity was one of their future goals back in 2012...So, if Jahoda's 3D spheroidal technique works, 50% of their work is already done!

Tsuji may actually purchase Jahoda's 3D spheroids patent if all goes well

Yup exactly ! Jahoda's 3d sphere's were a huge breakthrough. Also note this huge news from just a few days ago, where a group of US researchers succeeded at creating an inner ear (including sensory hairs !!) where again the 3d culture enviroment was the missing key to success: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0710141852.htm ->
"Previous attempts to "grow" inner-ear hair cells in standard cell culture systems have worked poorly in part because necessary cues to develop hair bundles -- a hallmark of sensory hair cells and a structure critically important for detecting auditory or vestibular signals -- are lacking in the flat cell-culture dish. But, Dr. Hashino said, the team determined that the cells needed to be suspended as aggregates in a specialized culture medium, which provided an environment more like that found in the body during early development." "We were surprised to see that once stem cells are guided to become inner-ear precursors and placed in 3-D culture, these cells behave as if they knew not only how to become different cell types in the inner ear, but also how to self-organize into a pattern remarkably similar to the native inner ear," Dr. Hashino said"

Dr Nigams is of course also currently experimenting with 3d culture and he's going to inject Tom with 3d culutured cells too.

These are very interesting times, people ...

[Arashi]

No way! Phase 3 would be some serious breakthrough! They just finished off their animal studies (Pre-clinical) with FGF-9 and are planning to test it out in humans hopefully by the end of 2014! This will be the first in-man trial based on the FGF-9 theory and will be a Phase 1/2a trial.

Exactly. I'm pretty sure they're still in pre-clinical stage, otherwise their trial would show up on clinicaltrials.gov. Thus Follica is at least 7-8 years from having a product on the market.

[Desmond84]

No way! Phase 3 would be some serious breakthrough! They just finished off their animal studies (Pre-clinical) with FGF-9 and are planning to test it out in humans hopefully by the end of 2014! This will be the first in-man trial based on the FGF-9 theory and will be a Phase 1/2a trial.

[Scientalk56]

someone said here phase 3 and 2015 release... dissappointing sounds like rumors lol..

[Desmond84]

I think they may be conducting another Phase I/IIa with their new protocol...but it hasn't started yet

[Scientalk56]

in what phase follica is?

in what phase Follica is?

[Desmond84]

Spot on Arashi

And let's NOT forget Tsuji team was using Dermal Papillae cells as well as Epidermal cells! Mass producing DP cells and maintaining their trichogenicity was one of their future goals back in 2012...So, if Jahoda's 3D spheroidal technique works, 50% of their work is already done!

Tsuji may actually purchase Jahoda's 3D spheroids patent if all goes well

[Arashi]

Realistically, 3 groups of people have independently succeeded at bio engineering a human hair follicle:

* Lauster
* Team Tokyo (Tsuji labs)
* Jahoda

Where Jahoda even succeeded at growing it on human skin (on SCID mice).

Bio-engineering one follicle is one thing, doing it on a mass scale is another. They'd need a huge source of cells and thus would probably need Induced Pluripotent Stemcells. Japan just OK-ed the first ever IPS cell trial 2 weeks ago: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/434129/...clinical-trial
Japan is also looking at fasttracking stem cell research in general. Conditions that are every favourable for Tsuji labs. Hence I would say Tsjui labs is going to win this race and since they already succeeded at bio-engineering a human hair follicle, I would be surprised if it would take them more than 10 years.

[Arashi]

Follica cures baldness in 2015. We will see that all over the news soon boys.

That would mean they're in Phase II/III already. Please show us the clinical trials they're running at the moment: http://clinicaltrials.gov/