A peptide called PP405 has been making the news lately as a potential revolutionary treatment for the most common form of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia.
The holy grail in regenerative medicine for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia would be to find “the key” to that prone hair follicle stem cell and unlock the program to have the follicle revert to producing longer and thicker hair shafts like it did in the past. In the following article, we’ll explore whether PP405 has the potential to meet these expectations.
What is PP405?
PP405 is a peptide. Peptides are like keys that start a car’s engine. Peptides unlock a variety of functions on various cell types throughout the human body (i.e., insulin is a peptide that unlocks the ability for cells to absorb glucose). PP405 may be the key that unlocks the hair follicle stem cells to re-enter the growing phase (anagen) to produce thicker and longer hair.
New Study Results
In early studies, PP405 0.05% applied topically daily was shown to inhibit mitochondrial pyruvate carrier within the stem cell and showed significant increases in Ki67 expression, which is a marker of stem cell proliferation. This suggests PP405 may be stimulating the cellular signaling pathways (Wnt/B-catenin signaling) in the hair follicle. This is thought to awaken the hair follicle out of the dormant (telogen) phase to re-enter the growing phase (anagen).
Read the press release here.
When will PP405 be approved by the FDA?
It’s still in the early stages of the FDA approval process in determining its safety and efficacy. In 2024, PP405 entered phase 2a randomized, placebo-controlled trials, which are assessing the safety, dosing, and efficacy in treating androgenetic alopecia. If it continues to show promise, it will progress to Phase 2b and Phase 3 trials. In the perfect scenario of showing great efficacy and minimal side effects with no glitches in the approval process, it will take approximately 5 years to obtain FDA approval to be available on the market.
Also Read: New Hair Growth Breakthrough
Expected Benefits of PP405
The appeal to PP405 is:
- Novel mechanism of action, unlike the current FDA-approved treatments, finasteride (androgen modulator) and minoxidil.
- Topical application possibly reduces systemic side effects
- Might work synergistically with the current FDA-approved treatments.
- Might enhance the results of FUE and FUT hair transplants
My Opinion
We currently do not have a silver bullet to treat androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride, minoxidil, and hair transplantation surgeries have their limitations; therefore, there is a need for a new revolutionary treatment. Unfortunately, since there is no perfect treatment now, it creates the perfect environment for “snake oil” products, which have been abundant over the last several decades. I believe it is imperative to keep an open, but skeptical, mind to new treatments for hair loss. I think PP405 holds significant promise, but we have to be patient while it progresses through the trials. Again, be aware of the similar “knock-off” products that will sound similar and too good to be true, using creative marketing language. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for PP405.
Dr. Paul J. McAndrews is a world-renowned expert in hair loss and hair restoration, and one of only two physicians to have served as President of both the ISHRS and ABHRS. He is a Clinical Professor at USC/LAC Medical Center and an Expert Medical Reviewer for the California Medical Board. Known for his artistic, patient-focused approach, Dr. McAndrews performs one hair transplant per day to ensure exceptional, individualized results.