follicept - what's this?

[diffuse]

I'm using dermaroller 1mm since last semptember, started RU 1,5 month ago and I'm using it at night before application.

[Trouse5858]

I'm trying to be optimistic about follicept but I guess I'm just jaded at this point. I don't think a cosmetic application can have the noticeable effects the majority of people in this website need to actually feel/ look better. Hopefully I'm wrong. I just read a 3 week old article on business wire that they're still set on a 2015 launch date; is that even remotely feasible at this point?

[lupero83]

ask them if they expect follicept work for a norwood 6 .

Follicept answered me that if all goes as they hope will work well for norwood 6. I'm excited .

[Pelopeleon]

I don't think it's a marketing gimmick.

If their vehicle really does get large molecules (like igf-1) through the skin, it would theoretically get minox through more efficiently, which could very well cause heart problems, etc.

I think you could stop minoxidil only in the nights that you have to use follicept, and the next day you could apply your minoxidil as always, right?

[epipapilla]

I'm using dermaroller 1mm since last semptember, started RU 1,5 month ago and I'm using it at night before application.

How many times a week are you using a derma roller?

Are you seeing any hair regrowth progress?

[Jagger]

I think you could stop minoxidil only in the nights that you have to use follicept, and the next day you could apply your minoxidil as always, right?

The product allegedly works for many hair cycles...this doesn't necessarily mean that the skin will remain "porous" (allowing large molecules through) but it very well might, and if that's the case, minoxidil is probably just a bad idea.

But if it works as well as they think it will, it sounds like minoxidil will be unnecessary.

Know what would be sweet? If the reason they're so confident is because one of them secretly took some of the formula they used on the mice and found out it regrows human hair as well. And now they're just being coy with the mouse pictures so no one suspects that they tested it on humans.

Wishful thinking but, you know. I'm optimistic about this stuff.

[follicept]

Updates...

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the delay- haven’t checked the forums in several days. Was in DC Monday, Atlanta yesterday/today. I’m exhausted, frankly. I have only slept one night in my bed in the past like 10 nights. I am as eager as you guys for this to work, for my own hair, for my own livelihood, and for all of you who have taken the time to encourage (or slam) me/us. You have no idea the nature or extent of the personal sacrifices Dr. Hsu, I, and the team are making to try to get this thing to go. Honestly, I feel the weight of all your hopes and concerns and skepticism and excitement weighing on me all the time. This isn’t something I take lightly. I don’t want to let you down, or be let down. I am not asking for sympathy, as this is my choice, just letting you know how much I have in this and how important it is to me.

I want to address a variety of things I have read over since my last post, in no particular order but hopefully with some coherence:

Re: the rat model/pics:

We used the CD hairless rat, which has a gene mutation that gives it kinky, wiry, wispy hair. This is ideal for transdermal testing, because it limits any follicular transport that could confound results, and the hair isn’t in the way. So basically, we are growing hair despite a gene that should be preventing it. We find that compelling. There are other rat models that are hairier or at least look it, used by other companies to show growth, about which you are all rightfully skeptical. As far as our pictures go- we are not professionals in that regard, and the inconsistency comes from user error and cropping, not from trying to find lighting or zoom that makes it look better than it is.

We began these animal studies assuming it would be brought through the normal drug development route. Many cosmetic companies and governments ban animal testing, thus we will not try this on any other animal model. Just humans with proper protocol and approval.

For human trials, we will be using a special camera and software that actually counts follicles present, and consistency of photos will absolutely be key.

Re: timeline of development:

The timeline may be optimistic but not impossible. I am a go-go-go type, and it’s my job to create urgency, and Dr. Hsu’s job to ensure scientific integrity and safety. Basically, right now IGF-1 is hard to get. The only indication it’s approved for is IGF-1 deficiency, a pretty small patient population. So it’s harder to get than we anticipated, but we are working to build up the supply chain for that for the long term, since it can take a while to get up and running. This is just speculation at this point, but I would not be surprised to see that we can only produce a few thousand units per month initially, so supply may be small up front and prices may be temporarily high. This is not to squeeze you but as a function of supply and demand. The goal is to have enough to supply our early adopters (at a reasonable price), as previously noted, and use that money to build out the full manufacturing. The other pieces are pretty simple- packaging, etc.

Along those lines, about IGF-1: we are not worried about safety but need to show efficacy and dosing schedule and cycles. The amount we are using is 1000x less concentrated than IGF-1 injections for IGF-1 deficiency, assuming one injection site. So we are 1000x less concentrated and also way more diffuse across the scalp- we don’t anticipate any side effect or ancillary issues. We are way less worried about safety issues/risks of side effects than about learning the dosing cycles that work. As long as we are showing reasonable growth amongst a reasonable amount of people, we will release and keep learning as we go. We’ll rely on you for a lot of that information.
The Website: a few people noted it was down and panicked. We’re still here, I just screwed up. We had a placeholder URL before we named the product. When we did name it, we just forwarded the domain as it was easier. Now we are dropping the placeholder and just making ************* be *************. I forgot to change some settings so it was down for a bit. All better. (Also uploading our new and finalized logo tomorrow-check it out tomorrow afternoon EDT).

Part of the reason for that, and this addresses some other concerns brought up, is that in order to stay within FDA guidelines, we may be changing the claims of our product. We are not changing the formulation or product, but what we can say it achieves may need to change to stay in compliance with FDA regulations and get it to market ASAP. The results of the trials and the pictures will say all we need to about the product. The science behind it is sound, and results are what matter, not claims.

As far as selling out to investors and pharma, I can’t possibly predict that, but can tell you we definitely want this to stay on the shelves and wouldn’t sell to someone we thought would kill it. Not sure why they would either if it works or sells. That said, we like being the underdogs and being independent. We have goals for the overall company and technology, and we will do what we need to to achieve those. Hopefully sales will be enough. Truly, we aren’t greedy with it. If it’s serving its purpose, we couldn’t ask for more than that!

Re: the dreaded gel cap:

There is no “gel cap”. We envision using FolliceptTM in your sleep for convenience. If that is the case, it would be advisable to wear a breathable cap- like a surgeon’s cap that stays cool overnight to keep it off your pillow, face, eyes, etc. If it suits you better to use it for 6-8 hours during the day, go for it. As time goes on, it may become clear that more or less treatment time is required. Someone asked why we went public so early, this is partly why. We value your feedback and dialogue and always run across things we never would have expected or thought of. We also plainly thought it would be a lot more difficult to cut through the noise and gain any traction. We figured it would take 6 months to start connecting and gaining trust and excitement for our product which would launch around that time. Had no clue that we’d be received so well. Even the skepticism has been generally well-meaning and of course well-founded, and certainly more intelligent and informed than we would have imagined. So thanks for all that.

Re: the science:

I can’t get into our formulation too much, because it’s our secret sauce and the source of our IP. And frankly, it’s insanely simple so we don’t want it out there too much. We have been invited to present our technology at the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting, and the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, so the science is sound. It has to do with a unique combination of thermosensitive components that had never been tried before. Dr. Hsu selected them for their thermosensitivity, but it turned out they had secondary properties that in this specific combination had a huge penetration-enhancing effect.

The minoxidil issue is not a marketing gimmick- I truly hadn’t even thought about that but wish I could take credit for how genius that sounds hahaha.

Minoxidil can be a very dangerous antihypertensive. The FDA has come down hard several times on Rogaine and other brands for variations and different concentrations because it can be so dangerous. This is actually the reason the hair growth space is so heavily regulated. Hopefully, you won’t need minoxidil because FolliceptTM works well enough anyway, but it will likely be a matter of safety such that we have to encourage you to stop minoxidil.

AGA is definitely a complex issue, likely a group of conditions/factors, and we hope to learn more and contribute to understanding of the issue, that’s another reason why the science so important to us.

Finally, about contacting us, when you sign up/comment on the site, I get a notification email with your comments (if any). Many people also separately send me the same comments/questions directly to my email. I am now up to between 100-300 emails a day, just from that stuff. I genuinely try to respond to any questions/comments I get, but it gets hard when I get the same things that are addressed in the FAQ or on this forum. We don’t know yet what Norwood levels we can affect to/from. We will tell you when trials begin. We will release those results as they happen, even if negative. As I said above, I take this position and project seriously, and it weighs on me because of who I am as a person, and the faith and hope you have placed in me/us. Thus, I kindly request that you limit your emails to me to specific questions if absolutely necessary. I will check the forum as often as I can, and respond and update. As before, if I go dark, it means I am busy helping get this closer to your hands and heads. I do get your notes of encouragement when you sign up, or funny comments, and though I immediately delete them so I can find emails from my boss and such (your addresses and comments are stored on the website server, don’t worry), I often smile or chuckle, so thanks. Don’t take it personally if I don’t respond- I usually try to at least say thanks.

I hope this encourages you all and lets you know where we are coming from. Hopefully it feels like an update and allays some concerns, even though we don’t have as much progress as we want by now. I will begin testing on myself the moment the IGF-1 comes in the door, which could be any day. I will make a video and/or pics the day I start it, and keep you posted on that for sure.

Take care and thanks for all the time and effort you put into supporting and advising us. Keep it up, we’re working hard for you.

Devon/Follicept/Prometheon Pharma.

[tf2legend]

Thanks for the update Devon

These guys are legit. All we can do at the moment is wait for the results. Lets hope the genius Dr.Hsu and the rest of the team can pull through with this

[efedrez]

Thanks Devon, we are all rooting for you!

If there is anything we can do as a community to help bring this product to the market don't hesitate to ask

[MoolahLea]

Thanks Devon... This is something we regular joe's seldom come by. A company that is responding at the forefront of things rather than constantly going MIA. On top of that, I have faith in you guys. So whatever comes, please do not give up... You have no idea how many young lives you would be changing. I just went for a recent class reunion and of course one of them brought their new born. Another guy walks up to us and says in front of everyone, "damn, that kids got more hair than you bro..." and the laughing across the room ensues.

Not a life threatening disease, I know.. But, it sure takes a toll on you after some time. I do not even approach girls these days even if its' for a friendly chat at the bar.

Anything I can do, and I am all up for it Devon... I reside in sunny Singapore. That tiny red dot that packs a punch.

[nameless]

Haha, I am telling you- we are here to help you guys, not screw you over. Well if we applied that kind of scientific approach and logic, we would certainly deserve some of what we are getting on here, wouldn't we? Again, it's the transdermal delivery that is the key. That is where others have failed. We got the same questions from insulin companies- why hasn't anyone else been able to do this for 30 years. We showed them the science, and now they believe. If you want to view that, www.box.com/ppncts. Trust me, it is sound. No microneedles, no nothing- our formulation is different. Just wait and let us prove it, or let us eat crow and apologize, with no sales and no one harmed. I think that is fair to ask. Everything ever accomplished is impossible until its done. Your concerns are 100% valid, just let us try to alleviate them. Working on supplier for IGF-1, rIGF-1 from yeast or bacteria, human-grade. That is what we are waiting on to make the batch that I and others will test, and then post results.

I understand that you are asking for time to test your delivery system. OK, I'm cool with that. I doubt if your treatment will work because nothing works but I'll reserve judgment until I see what you have to say after your testing. One thing I will say now at this time iis that t seems to me that these non-human versions of growth factors never work. If you want to give this stuff a fair chance of working then I think you should be using the human version of this stuff rather than a yeast or bacteria source.

[stayhopeful]

please

please Devon keep us posted. Dear Lord this world is an extraordinarily cruel place for someone with AGA. I could write paragraphs upon paragraphs right now describing how much pure suffering my hairline has caused me, but I will save everyone's time. It seems like you and your team do recognize the enormity of the opportunity you have, which is to alleviate an unspeakable amount of suffering from a huge amount of people.

Does anyone here know the science on how this will theoretically work for maintenance or stabilization? I would cry of happiness if something came out within the next 1-2 years which simply halted hair loss without side effects.

Thank you for making this a possibility Follicept.

[runrunrun]

Thanks Devon.
I hope follicept can change the world.

[Jonathan]

Devon say that he will start testing it as soon as their IGF-1 arrives. That makes it sound as it is very easy to apply IGF-1 to their magic transport system gel. Maybe as easy as poring the IGF-1 into the gel and mix it.

I have mentioned this before and it makes me hopeful, because if the IGF-1 route fail, we still should be able to use this vehicle for other proven drugs like Minoxidil, RU, CB, Fin , Dut etc and be able to go down to much smaller doses without losing effect. Then we should solve many issues with side effects and price.

If this transportation system works in a way that makes most of the drug to reach the hair follicle, and you don't have to "treat your entire body", then maybe we can apply tiny doses of topical fin 2 times nightly per week for example, and don't have to worry about sides.

[EXprettyboy]

Devon, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to fill us in on what's goin on. It is really aprpreciated, and I understand that it's something you are not obliged to do but do anyway, thanks again, it makes the waiting easier.