Hair Loss Cure 2020 | Hair loss blog with the latest news updates.

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. There is small chance that it also contain other hair growth promoting ingredients, which I outline at the bottom of this page. The top half of this post contains new updates. Also see my past posts on immediate-release low-dose oral Minoxidil and sublingual Minoxidil.

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 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.

In 2019 when I first discussed exosomes for hair growth, most doctors were injecting them into the scalp. Recently, I also discussed the rarer intravenous (IV) delivery of exosomes to tackle hair loss. Now I look at the topical application of exosome serums into the scalp, due to three such new products being in recent news.

Note that some injectable products from exosome suppliers to the hair loss market can also be applied topically. The method of delivery will depend on your doctor’s or clinic’s preference.

Calecim (PTT-6) Advanced Hair System with Topical Exosomes

Calecim PTT- 6 Topical Exosomes — Calecim (PTT- 6) Advanced Hair System: Topical Exosomes and Growth Factors for Hair Growth.

Recently, HairClone (UK) announced a partnership in which the company will work with an interesting new exosome containing topical product called Calecim Advanced Hair System (that comes with a Derma Stamp).

Edit: The manufacturer has now given blog readers a 15% off discount code “HLC2020“ for purchases of the Advanced Hair System kit.

Per their website, Calecim includes PTT-6^®, which contains over 3,000 proteins, including growth factors, cytokines and exosomes that signal cells to regenerate.

PTT-6 is derived from the secretion of cord lining stem cells isolated from the umbilical cord tissues of New Zealand red deer at birth. No deer is harmed during the extraction and harvest process of this rich source of stem cells.

The full list of ingredients is PTT-6^® and cord lining conditioned media (from stem cell derived fibronectins, glycoproteins, albumin, collagens and hyaluronic acid).

This Calecim topical serum is to be used with an included Derma Stamp for better absorption. A lot people underetrake at-home microneedling for similar reasons. This includes via dermarollers or dermapens or dermastamps.

Elevai Exosomes Combined with Yuva Biosciences Mitochondrial Technology

Elevai Topical Exosomes for Hair Growth.

Elevai Labs (US) recently gave a positive update regarding the company’s topical Elevai “age zero” Exosomes™ product range for hair loss. In a year-long study that the company conducted, patients who used Elevai empower™ exosomes in combination with in-office microneedling saw favorable results. The company also makes Elevai enfinity™ for at-home use in repairing your skin.

The 12-month results were assessed using imaging analysis and showed a cessation in crown inflammation, a reversal of miniaturized hairs, and a recovery of hairs from the dormant resting phase. the still on-going research study is being conducted in partnership with Carly Klein, president of the National Hair Loss Medical Aesthetics (NHLMA).

Note that I previously also discussed Elevai in my post on Yuva Biosciences and BosleyMDs new hair loss product related to mitochondrial upregulation. Yuva is partnering with Elevai to release a hair loss product that will combine Elevai’s proprietary PREx™ exosome technology with Yuva’s Y100™ mitochondrial technology. The two companies jointly filed for a combination patent in August 2024.

Ultimately, Elevai is developing a new hair and scalp care product line, called “Elevai S-Series Root Renewal System” that will be powered by exosomes and mitochondrial technology. According to company CEO Dr. Jordan R. Plews, they are in the process of conducting a follow-on study. This will further analyze the combination of Elevai exosomes and Yuva’s Y100 mitochondrial technology to address hair loss and thinning concerns.

In January 2025, Elevai’s skin and hair care business was acquired by Carmell (US). In March 2025, Carmell announced a rebranding and name change to Longevity Health Holdings. The company plans to launch a hair growth serum in the second quarter of 2025. Most likely, it will be the exosome and mitochondrial upregulation product that I discusses above.

ExoCelBio Evovex Serum

Another company that makes a line of topical exosomes is ExoCelBio (US) via its Evovex serum. The company website says that these exosomes are derived from the chorion of placental mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs). Their Exovex™ serum Refine brand was launched in 2023 and has a concentration level of 75 billion exosomes per vial. Refine employs a high concentration of non-lyophilized, purified exosomes that results in fuller and stronger hair.

In May 2024, the US FDA sent a violation warning letter to ExoCelBio in relation to the company’s marketing and lack of a biologics license. This is not surprising, considering the new stricter FDA guidelines governing exosome products. In the US, exosomes are regulated as both a drug and a biologic. In Europe, you are not even allowed to use human-derived exosomes to treat hair loss.