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new Hope for Hair Loss Sufferers: JW Pharmaceutical and FromBio Pioneer Regenerative Treatments
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The $188 billion hair loss treatment market is bracing for disruption as pharmaceutical companies shift focus from managing symptoms to stimulating hair follicle regeneration, offering potential long-term solutions beyond existing therapies.
Competition in the hair loss prevention market is intensifying, largely due to the increasing prevalence of generic drugs. However,companies like JW Pharmaceutical and FromBio are gaining attention for their innovative approaches targeting the root cause of hair loss – the hair follicle itself.
The Limitations of Current Treatments: DHT Inhibitors
For years, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitors have been a mainstay in hair loss treatment. DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair thinning and loss, is blocked by these drugs by inhibiting the 5α-reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone into DHT. Common ingredients include dutasteride and finasteride.
While effective,DHT inhibitors are not without drawbacks. long-term use can lead to adverse effects, including sexual dysfunction and even mental health concerns like depression. Moreover, the benefits disappear upon discontinuation, frequently enough resulting in renewed hair loss. Restrictions also apply to women of childbearing age due to potential fetal risks.
The Rise of Generics and the Need for Innovation
The market is saturated with generic versions of existing DHT inhibitors, making differentiation difficult. According to data from IQVIA, a pharmaceutical market research firm, generics account for 54% of the dutasteride market and 65% of the finasteride market as of 2024. The overall hair loss treatment market has grown from 154.2 billion won in 2020 to 188 billion won in 2024, with the dutasteride generic market increasing by 85% to KRW 49.4 billion and the finasteride generic market growing by 28% to KRW 61.8 billion during the same period. This competitive landscape underscores the urgent need for novel treatment strategies.
JW pharmaceutical’s Pioneering Approach: Targeting the GFRA1 Receptor
JW Pharmaceutical is developing ‘JW0061,’ a topical agent designed to stimulate hair follicle creation and growth by targeting receptors on hair follicle stem cells. the drug operates through a unique mechanism, binding to the ‘GFRA1’ receptor, which plays a crucial role in stem cell survival, proliferation, and tissue regeneration.
“Hair loss treatments based on GFRA1 promotion are rare, presenting a significant opportunity for differentiation,” a senior official stated.
Preclinical results have been promising. In human skin organoid experiments, JW0061 demonstrated up to 7.2 times more hair follicle production compared to existing treatments, while animal studies showed efficacy improvements of up to 39% in models of androgenetic alopecia. JW Pharmaceutical recently submitted a phase 1 clinical trial protocol (IND) to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and secured a substance patent in the United States. The company is also reportedly conducting joint research with leading U.S. dermatology experts, possibly paving the way for a technology transfer agreement given their prior success in exporting AI-derived drug candidates.
FromBio’s Stem Cell Strategy: Creating a Favorable Scalp Environment
FromBio is pursuing a different, yet equally innovative,
