XtalPi Advances Hair Loss Drug Program into IND-Enabling Studies
XtalPi announced its proprietary hair loss drug program has entered IND-enabling studies. The program targets a lactate–autophagy pathway to reactivate quiescent hair follicle stem cells.
AI and robotics company XtalPi has announced that its proprietary hair loss drug program has entered IND-enabling studies. These studies, including pharmacology, safety, and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC), are underway to support a future Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
The program targets a lactate–autophagy pathway to reactivate quiescent hair follicle stem cells. Androgenetic alopecia, or pattern hair loss, affects both men and women. Current treatments, such as minoxidil and finasteride, have varying efficacy and can carry side effects, creating a need for new mechanisms.
In preclinical mouse models, a candidate achieved a hair-growth score comparable to 5% topical minoxidil at just one-hundredth of the concentration. This milestone builds on XtalPi's previous commercial success with two AI-developed ingredients for scalp care, extending the company's work in hair health into drug development.
The development utilizes XtalPi's integrated platform, combining AI-guided molecular design with physics-based calculations and robotic synthesis and testing. The company is evaluating mechanism of action, dose-response, pharmacokinetics, and safety margins to meet the requirements for a prescription medicine. This development follows other advancements in XtalPi's pipeline, including a U.S. IND submission for a treatment for chronic intestinal pain and the nomination of a preclinical candidate for HIV.