How does Samumed SM04554 Work?
the one that was tested with SM04554 showed almost 10% increase in the hair density
According to the developers of the treatment, SM04554 increases hair growth by activating a Wnt signalling pathway in the hair follicle dermal papillae. For hair to grow it requires signals to be sent via the WNT-pathways from the epidermis to the dermal papilla. Several studies have shown that Wnts are required to keep a hair in the growth phase. It seems that SM04554 is designed to maintain the growth phase of hair — much like many hair loss treatments, including Minoxidil.
A treatment that works on the Wnt signalling pathways will help maintain current hair but it’s unlikely to help regrow lost hair.
Still, in the experimental phase, Samumed is a small-molecule component that boosts hair growth. Also known as SM04554, it is a topical solution that initiates hair growth through the Wnt pathway. Samumed successfully completed its phase 2 testing during March 2016 and presented its results to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). People showed a mixed response to the results of phase 2 testing, but the most important thing is that hair did grow during the phase.
The phase 2 testing was conducted on different groups and the one that was tested with SM04554 showed almost 10% increase in the hair density which is quite promising. After Samumed got encouraging results from testing, the team conducted a detailed biopsy of the scalp so that the complete action could be understood. The initial research showed that the patients using this treatment didn’t get any sort of dose-response. In simple words, a larger dose of the treatment does not lead to any increased improvement.
Samumed began experimenting with the new treatment through low-key clinical trials, which continued for almost two years and finally ended with the successful results of the phase 2 study. After getting successful results in the phase 2 study, the company is seeking a solution for the dose-response issue. Once the drug has been optimized to overcome the dose-response issue, the company will move forward to phase 3 testing.
According to the recent updates, Samumed has indicated that it will hold the stage 3 of its phase 2 testing in 2017 as it has successfully worked out the kinks in the biopsy analysis of the phase 2 testing. The company has announced that it will move on to phase 3 testing once it has successfully completed stage 3 of phase 2 testing by the end of 2017.