I've worked in this area for a long time ( published my first paper on the copper-zn SODases over 20 years ago.) These things really do work as antiinflammatory agents, to prevent hair loss, and so forth.
Merck seems to be the main drug company with an interest in hair-loss treatment agents, with several patents, an NDA in for Propecia, etc. OTOH, with so many things cooking, they may not be interested in more products. Similarly, there may be some intellectual property problems which need to be resolved <G>. A big company won't touch them while these are still hanging. BTW L'oreal also seems to have some patents, but none that compete directly. Hoechst just terminated work on a topical antiandrogen, so they may not be interested in this area.
As I have noted previously, derm drugs is rather a specialty area, often served by smaller drug companies which may not have the interest or resources to run something thru the FDA. So Procyte has to do all the marketing, etc. themselves. Which small R&D companies are just not set up orginally to do.
Supposedly, Graftcyte is to come out in shampoo, lotion, etc. forms. Very clever....
Dr. P |
