So how close are we to a new 'cure'

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[KO1]

You agree that Follica hasn't even started Phase I ?

Not true. Follica has finished a Phase 2 trial two years ago.

[Arashi]

Not true. Follica has finished a Phase 2 trial two years ago.

Where can we read about that ? There's nothing on clinicaltrials.gov. Furthermore in the recent publication they only seem to talk about mice (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0602144327.htm) . Hence it really seems they haven't tested it on humans. Furthermore it seems there are lot of "if's". Quite a few growth factors are associated with hair growth and FGF9 might actually be quite interesting but I highly doubt a single growth factor will grow hair on a bald scalp. Follica seems to be doing interesting work, but I really doubt they're going to bring us THE cure everybody is waiting for ...

[Arashi]

Even if you search the DB for FGF9, it finds nothing. I'm pretty sure every FDA approved trial appears in that DB.

[john2399]

Where can we read about that ? There's nothing on clinicaltrials.gov. Furthermore in the recent publication they only seem to talk about mice (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0602144327.htm) . Hence it really seems they haven't tested it on humans. Furthermore it seems there are lot of "if's". Quite a few growth factors are associated with hair growth and FGF9 might actually be quite interesting but I highly doubt a single growth factor will grow hair on a bald scalp. Follica seems to be doing interesting work, but I really doubt they're going to bring us THE cure everybody is waiting for ...

So dam negative. Who the hell knows what follica is up too. They have been around a long time so they might shock us.

[KO1]

Where can we read about that ? There's nothing on clinicaltrials.gov. Furthermore in the recent publication they only seem to talk about mice (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0602144327.htm) . Hence it really seems they haven't tested it on humans. Furthermore it seems there are lot of "if's". Quite a few growth factors are associated with hair growth and FGF9 might actually be quite interesting but I highly doubt a single growth factor will grow hair on a bald scalp. Follica seems to be doing interesting work, but I really doubt they're going to bring us THE cure everybody is waiting for ...

https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu

[Arashi]

So dam negative. Who the hell knows what follica is up too. They have been around a long time so they might shock us.

If you think I'm negative you've misread my postings in this thread. I'm very optimistic ! The first IPS cell trial OK-ed by Japan, Japan fasttracking stem cell research, Jahoda bio-engineering and growing human hair follicle on human skin and development of inner ear (including hairs) as a result of 3d culturing (which really seems to have been the missing link) is a reason to be VERY optimistic about the future ! And Dr Nigams is going to experiment with 3d culture soon, on forum member Tom, who knows, it just might work !!

[Arashi]

www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu

Nice find But is this trial https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.e...?query=follica regarding FGF9 ???

[Arashi]

Nah, that trial was regarding lithium gluconate gel, not FGF9.

[KO1]

You were simply stating that Follica has not even completed P1, I pointed out that's not true. That's all. Now certainly, you may be referring only to FGF9 treatments, but they may not even try FGF9. Frankly, I don't think the FGF9 discovery is really that important yet.


FYI, Follica will likely not need a Phase I trial for their process. I suspect it will be P2 or further. They already completed a first in man trial years ago, and if they play with well known compounds, safety has already been proven.