New Follica patent (!)

[plopp]

My favorite company has just gotten a new patent published,

http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/sear...tab=PCT+Biblio

Something for all the follica diy:ers out there

[plopp]

They also give away a hint of the results from the phase 2 trials it seems:

[0062] A particular physiologically active compound or array of two or more compounds may optimally produce a desired end result (for example, follicular neogenesis, reorganizing existing hair structures, dispersing hair-producing components, altering cell-to-cell interactions that are relevant to the growth of hair, or other useful ends) under the dermabrasion model (provided through the disruption of the epidermis and optionally the stratum corneum). For example, it has presently been discovered that the application of a topical formulation of 8% lithium gluconate (such as in the form of Lithioderm®) in a dermabrasion context results in a higher percentage of neogenic hair follicles at a more mature stage of development, increased thickness of hair shafts at the surface of the skin, and in general, a higher number of neogenic hair follicles.

[0063] A different particular physiologically active compound or array of two or more compounds may optimally produce a desired end result (for example, follicular neogenesis, reorganizing existing hair structures, dispersing hair-producing components, altering cell-to-cell interactions that are relevant to the growth of hair, or other useful ends) under the full-thickness excision model (invoked through the formation of void spaces in the dermis at the target area). For example, it has presently been discovered that the application of a topical formulation of 8% lithium chloride in a full thickness excision context results in a significant increase in the formation of neogenic hair follicles per injury.

The question is what is meant by "at a more mature stage of development." Reminds me of another paper that found that increased canonical wnt signaling after wounding results in epithelial cysts and "rudimentary" hair follicles.