Description:
The current state of art:
Hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia affects roughly 50% of men and 75% of women older than 65 years. In the US, it affects an estimated 50 million men and 30 million women. Current FDA-approved drugs for hair loss include Finasteride and Minoxidil.
Problems with current state of art:
However, Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, has caused undesirable adverse effects such as impotence and reduced libido. Although Minoxidil has not shown any safety concern, the efficacy of Minoxidil is low: less than 40% of the patients responded to twice daily topical application of Minoxidil in a clinical study. A safer and more effective medication is needed to treat hair loss.
Advantages of our invention:
Scientists at AU have identified the novel effect of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) fusion protein in promoting hair growth. In a mouse study, the GILZ, fused with a cell-penetrating-protein induced proliferation and maturation of hair follicles at the site of injection when administered to the skin at a 3-day interval. GILZ is ubiquitously expressed in the body and has an anti-inflammation effect. Therefore, GILZ is a promising treatment for hair loss.
AURI # 2019-014
IP status: US non-provisional 16/599,397 filed in 11/12/2019