Cosmo Pharma’s male hair loss treatment shows sustained hair growth in year‑long study

By Sneha S K and Sahil Pandey

April 15 (Reuters) – Cosmo Pharmaceuticals said on Wednesday its experimental hair loss treatment showed sustained hair growth and long-term safety in men with common pattern baldness after a year of use.

The year‑long extension study follows late-stage data reported in December, when the topical drug, called clascoterone, met its main goals in two large studies where it showed significant hair growth in 1,465 men over six months.

* Cosmo on Wednesday said men who stayed on clascoterone for12 months saw a statistically significant 2.39-times improvementin hair count compared to those who stopped the treatment aftersix months. * The Ireland-based company said patients who stoppedtreatment after six months experienced a meaningful decline inhair count compared to patients on clascoterone who sawcontinued hair growth throughout the 12 months. * Clascoterone is a topical solution that works by blockingthe effects of male hormones in the scalp, which are a maincause of hair follicle shrinkage and hair loss. * The drug’s safety profile over 12 months was comparable toplacebo, with no meaningful hormone-related side effectsreported, Cosmo said. * Cosmo said it plans to file for U.S. regulatory approvalin early 2027 and aims to submit the full data from thelate-stage studies for publication at scientific meetings. * Cosmo CEO Giovanni Di Napoli told Reuters the company isalso exploring options to license the drug. “We want to find aperfect partner that can scale this drug and can reach millionsof men globally as quickly as possible. So that’s our goal andthat’s what we’re going to do over the next few weeks andmonths,” he said. * Other companies developing novel treatments for hair lossinclude Pelage Pharmaceuticals, whose PP405 is an experimentaltopical therapy to restart hair growth in men and women.

(Reporting by Sneha S K and Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)