HYG-440 is Hygeia’s lead topical antiandrogenic compound under preclinical development. HYG-440 is the first anti-androgenic drug candidate engineered to be rapidly deactivated by hydrolytic enzymes at or near the site of application.
In preclinical models, HYG-440 has strong androgen-receptor affinity and can inhibit androgenic effects of co administered androgens in rat cells transfected with human androgen receptors. The expected major metabolite had no detectable androgen-receptor affinity or ability to interfere with the androgenic effects of endogenous androgens.
HYG-440 is a synthetic non-steroidal compound and represents one of four structural classes of antiandrogenic compounds in Hygeia's portfolio.
Rationale for a Topical Antiandrogen to Treat Androgenic Alopecia
Androgenic alopecia (hair loss due to excess androgens in the scalp) is the most common cause of hair loss and affects both men and women. An antiandrogen applied to the scalp can block the actions of testosterone-like hormones. Hygeia's biodegradable topical antiandrogen HYG-440 was specifically designed to avoid the risks associated with currently available oral antiandrogen products.
The combination of an antiandrogen HYG-440 and a biodegradable estrogen HYG-102 could be more effective than an antiandrogen alone in treating hair loss due to excess androgens in the scalp.
This was 4 years ago guys and Phase 1/2a trials were set to begin in 2010! Unfortunately they never got the funding to go ahead with it <SIGH>
Imagine if we have a topical non-steroidal anti-androgen in our hands in 2013! Wouldn't that have been awesome...
Yael Schwarz & Craig Abolin are the founders of the company. Wouldn't it be awesome to know what actually happened and why they never went ahead with any of their lead compounds!
Why is MPB so easily overlooked :(
07-24-2013 09:35 AM
KO1
This sounds good, but I think CB has similar properties...so we may not miss anything with this.
07-24-2013 09:40 AM
Desmond84
True, but these guys were 4 years ahead of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals and had a non-steroidal anti-androgen, which may have had a better long-term safety profile!
It makes you wonder how many potential treatments are out there that never see the light of day due to a lack of funding!
07-24-2013 09:45 AM
KO1
Indeed, it is just like RU, or ASCJ9, or PSI, even more potent 5AR2 inhibitors stronger than fin were not released (turosteride). Moreso than funding, IMO, it is just that there seems to be limited interest in MPB from pharma.
On top of that, you have to remember, this is an antiandrogen, and the primary effect is going to be retention or slowing down of hair loss. I think you will agree that the money to be made in MPB treatments is in growth agents that deliver consistent visible results (not minox), so from a business perspective, I don't think it is that surprising.
07-24-2013 09:46 AM
Desmond84
Yeah very true!
The truth is though that we are at least 10 years away from something so groundbreaking!
