Absci ABS-201: Targeting the Prolactin Receptor

Update: October 20 2025

Absci to Begin Phase 1 Clinical Trials for ABS-201 in December 2025

In a new article about Absci’s ABS-201 hair growth injections that target the prolactin receptor, it is mentioned that Phase 1 clinical trials will begin in Australia in December 2025. The renowned Dr. Rodney Sinclair will oversee the trials at his Sinclair Dermatology clinic. Interestingly, Hope Medicine’s Phase 1 clinical trials for its prolactin receptor blocking HMI-115 injections also occurred in Australia at Sinclair Dermatology in 2022.

Of note, the Absci research team believes that ABS-201 could also cure premature greying by re-pigmenting the hair. This is based on their pre-clincial work on macaques, in which the animals’ hair reverted back from grey to black.

Key quote regarding Absci’s use of AI to develop this product:

“Using AI to develop the needle itself (in this case, the perfect antibody sequence) researchers were able to discover key antibody binding regions that could precisely target the prolactin receptor, thus ceasing hair loss. Using computer simulations, Absci was able to optimize certain drug qualities, including increased potency and decreased likelihood of negative immune response.”

Update: July 2025

The CEO of Absci posted the below Tweet recently. The before and after macaque monkey image in there seems identical to the image from Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 and its effect on macaques. Strange. The same image can also be seen in their 2024 R&D document. Both HMI-115 and Absci’s ABS-201 target the prolactin receptor to regrow hair. Hope Medicine has already completed Phase 2 clinical trials, while Absci is yet to commence any human trials.

ABSCI Hair Growth Prolactin
ABSCI ABS-201 Hair Growth Prolactin.

April 6, 2025

Absci (US) is a data-first artificial intelligence (AI) drug and biologic creation company that is unlocking novel treatments through the use generative AI. Most interestingly, one of the key products that they are focusing on is a hair growth treatment called ABS-201 that targets the prolactin receptor (PRLR).

I first heard about the company in January 2025 when Absci received a $20 million investment from chip manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Unlike virtually all new entrants in the hair loss world, Absci has a great website. However, it should be noted that the company originally started operations way back in 2011, under the auspices of founder and CEO Sean McClain.

In March 2025, Absci presented on the subject of AI in dermatology at the Dermatology Innovation Forum. On a related note, in 2022, I wrote a post on AI and machine learning for hair loss drug discovery.

Absci Presentation on ABS-201

Considering that Absci’s pipeline page shows that ABS-201 is yet to even enter Phase 1 clinical trials, I was reluctant to write this post. However a new video presentation (embedded below) that the company uploaded in February 2025 changed my mind. It is titled “Absci R&D Day 2024”. The portion devoted to ABS-201 and hair loss starts at 1:19:40 and lasts for over an hour.

Also check out the company’s case study page on ANS-201. Interestingly, in the notes to the key mechanism of action diagram, they mention that ABS-201 also has the potential to restore hair pigmentation.

Absci currently has over 77,000 square feet of space between:

  • A state-of-the-art wet lab in Vancouver WA (US).
  • An advanced AI research lab in New York City (US).
  • A drug innovation center in Zug (Switzerland).

The company plans to begin Phase 1 clinical trials for ABS-201 in the first half of 2026. Their preclinical model demonstrated improved hair regrowth in comparison to minoxidil.

Absci ABS-201 versus Hope Medicine HMI-115

ABSCI ABS-201 Prolactin
ABSCI ABS-201 artificial intelligence developed prolactin receptor antibody for hair loss. Comparison to Hope Medicine’s HMI-115.

Note that Absci’s AI-developed ABS-201 is similar to Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 that is currently in Phase 2 trials. The latter prolactin receptor antibody treatment for male and female pattern hair loss was originally developed by Bayer (Germany) who received a patent for it in January 2019. A few months later, Hope Medicine announced a global licensing agreement with Bayer to advance the development of this monoclonal antibody to target the prolactin receptor.

In the above screenshot from Absci’s earlier mentioned recent presentation video, they elaborate on some of the key differences between ABS-201 and HMI-115.

Veradermics VDPHL Tablet for Hair Loss

Veradermics Logo
Veradermics.

Veradermics (US) is working on a new extended-release oral Minoxidil tablet to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The product is called VDPHL (as well as VDPHL01) and is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. The top half of this post contains new updates in reverse chronological order. Also see my past posts on immediate-release low-dose oral Minoxidil and sublingual Minoxidil.

Update: October 16, 2025

Veradermics Raises $150 million in Series C Financing

Yesterday, we heard that Pelage Pharmaceuticals (US) raised a massive $120 million in Series B Financing. In 2026, they plan to begin Phase 3 trials for their hair growth product PP405.

Today, we have news that Veradermics has raised an even larger $150 million in an oversubscribed Series C Financing. And this is after they raised $75 million in 2024 from Series B Financing. Such numbers are unheard of in the hair loss world. Veradermics is already conducting multiple Phase 3 trials for their hair growth product VDPHL.

For context, in 2021, the esteemed RIKEN and Dr. Takashi Tsuji of Japan were finding it difficult to raise $5 million and even asked me to help them with the goal. And in 2025, Yunce Biotech (China) is finding it tough to raise just $2 million to move forward with their hair cloning work. See the most recent comments from reader “Jan Miedza” in that Yunce post. And in late 2024, the much hyped Stemson Therapeutics (US) folded because it could not raise sufficient funds. Many other hair loss companies that I have discussed on this site in the past folded due to lack of funds to proceed with tedious clinical trials and approval processes.

In the earlier mentioned press release from Veradermics, they do not mention any other ingredient besides extended-release oral Minoxidil in this VDPHL01 tablet. The do provide some great before and after hair growth photos from their Phase 2 trials:

Veradermics VDPHL Hair Growth
Veradermics VDPHL extended-release oral Minoxidil. Before and after hair growth photos.

VDPHL Clinical Trial Updated Links

Enrollment links:

VDPHL01 Phase 2 Trial

  • 70 patients (male and female).
  • Start date = 2024-07-08.
  • Completion date =2026-08-28.

VDPHL01 Phase 2/3 Trial

  • 480 patients (males only).
  • Start date = 2024-11-06.
  • Completion date =2026-07.

VDPHL01 Phase 3 Trial

  • 552 patients (females only).
  • Start date = 2025-07-25.
  • Completion date =2027-03.

Update: September 29, 2025

Early Study Finds Extended-Release Minoxidil Grows More Hair

An optimistic summary of the results from the 20-person Phase 2 trial of VDPHL01, with the volunteers taking 8.5 mg VDPHL01 twice daily for 4 months. In the control groups, 33 patients received 5 mg immediate-release oral minoxidil once daily for 6 months; and 34 patients received 1 mL of 5% topical minoxidil solution twice daily for 6 months. Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) was the primary outcome that was measured, and the IGA ratings were made by blinded investigators.

The summary contains an interesting quote from Dr. Jerry Shapiro (who it is mentioned has a financial relationship with Veradermics):

“A longer time to sulfate is what we want, so if we keep the drug in the blood longer, there is greater sulfation and more activity.

Make sure to read my past post on Minoxidil sulfotransferase boosters and why Minoxidil requires sulfation in order to grow your hair.

Also of note, VDPHL:

“Offers an opportunity to maintain drug levels above those needed for therapeutic effect, but below those associated with cardiac adverse events.”

Update: September 21, 2025

Veradermics Extended Release Minoxidil for Hair Loss: Superior to Topical and Oral Minoxidil

Veradermics presented its smaller 20-person Phase 2 trial results at this month’s EADV Congress in Paris. A post about this on Instagram is causing some excitement. It has two slides in there, and I will paste the main points below:

  • The doctor Congress attendee who made the Instagram post states that “Extended release oral minoxidil has superior increase in hair density compared to topical minoxidil and oral minoxidil. Phase 3 trials are underway.” So this confirms that VDPHL is extended release oral Minoxidil, even though Veradermics’ pipeline page still does not declare the key ingredient.
  • 82% of VDPHL01 patients achieved moderate to great improvement versus just 20% of topical Minoxidil or low-dose oral Minoxidil users.
  • There is superior efficacy (3.5 times higher IGA scores) in a shorter time frame (4 months versus 6 months) compared to “competitors”).
Veradermics VDPHL Tablet for Hair Loss
Veradermics VDPHL tablet for hair loss. Pipeline screenshot from company website.

Update: January 2, 2025

Veradermics Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial Enrollment Link

Veradermics Phase 2/3 US clinical trial enrollment link is live. Their 40 plus locations are pretty widely spread across the country. Please note that we are not certain of the active ingredient(s) in this tablet. From the company’s patent, I previously guessed that it is an extended release oral Minoxidil, plus hopefully some other surprises (see bottom of this post). But it could end up being something totally different too.

The study involves 13 visits to a clinic over the course of 12 months. Participants will either get the new treatment or be part of the placebo group (that will still also get a tablet).

Update: December 11, 2024

Veradermics Raises $75 Million for Phase 2/3 Trials

Veradermics just raised $75 million in Series B financing (h/t “meko”). They have also initiated a Phase 2/3 trial for their lead candidate VDPHL01 for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The trial will enroll 480 patients across 44 sites in the US. Note that Veradermics also has an ongoing 20-patient Phase 2 trial for VDPHL. The company plans to report topline data from that Phase 2 study in the first half of 2025.

August 9, 2024

Veradermics VDPHL Tablet: Phase 2 Trials Begin

Veradermics is a US-based startup that is working on a new tablet to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA). They just started Phase 2 clinical trials for VDPHL01 in male subjects with AGA. Only 20 patients are enrolled, and the completion date is listed as August 1, 2025. The trial will take place at Therapeutic Research’s center in San Diego, California. Note that VDPHL likely stands for Veradermics Pattern Hair Loss.

The tablet does not impact hormone levels as do dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride. Thus avoiding potential side effects. Veradermics’ CEO is a young dermatologist named Reid Waldman.

Modified Release or Extended Release Oral Minoxidil

The mechanism of action (MOA) and key ingredient(s) in this tablet are both confidential. However, when I searched through the company’s patent, it seems like the drug candidate will be a “modified release” oral minoxidil tablet. In the patent, they use the term “extended release (ER)”. Note that they do not use the term “sublingual minoxidil” anywhere in the patent.

Other Potential Ingredients in VDPHL

In the patent, they also have a massive list of 191 claims. Within that section, all of the following drugs are listed 11 times each:

  • Setipiprant (11 times).
  • Valproic acid (11 times).
  • Cetirizine (11 times).
  • Medrogestone (11 times).

For long time readers of this blog, setipiprant (and Kythera) will ring a bell. It caused so much excitement a decade ago. I cannot believe that the very optimistic 9-yr old audio interview with Kythera’s CEO is still online. Setipiprant is an oral antagonist to the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor.

I covered valproic acid and hair growth in detail in the past. Follica also has a patent that covers valproic acid and hair regrowth. Valproic acid activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Cetirizine is a PGD2 inhibitor that has been shown to benefit hair growth even when used topically.

I have never covered medrogestone on this site before. Per Wikipedia, it is a progestin that is an agonist of the progesterone receptor and a weak anti-androgen. Progesterone is a female sex hormone that has beneficial properties towards hair growth.