A skin cream developed by the Italian company Cassiopea has reduced male-pattern baldness for up to 12 months in a phase II trial.

Male-pattern baldness is a very common condition where men lose their hair gradually over a certain period of time. The hair recedes from the temples and thins on the crown, which can eventually lead to complete loss of hair. There are only two approved drugs for the condition (Finasteride and Minoxidil), which have had problems with low response rates and negative side-effects side effects. No other treatments have been approved in over ten years.

Cassiopea is developing a topical skin treatment with the aim of increasing hair growth by blocking androgen hormones in the follicles. In a phase II trial, Cassiopea recruited over 400 men with pattern baldness, and applied either the skin treatment or a placebo to the affected areas of the scalp once or twice a day for one year.

After 12 just months of treatment, the skin cream improved the hair compared to a placebo. Encouragingly, the treatment did not cause any negative side-effects, or interfere with the bloodstream untowardly. The company is now planning to begin phase III trials of the treatment at the end of the year. Cassiopea also has plans to start a proof-of-concept trial of the treatment in women with androgenetic alopecia.

The global hair loss market is worth an estimated £2,5 billion, but most of it is filled with treatments that simply do not work. This skin product, if approved, could be the treatment for baldness that many men have been waiting for.

The signs do look promising for this treatment, because Cassiopea has had a good clinical record with its topical creams in the past. Its topical treatment for acne passed two phase III trials with great results last year, and the company expects to apply for FDA approval for it this year.

It is unclear how effective the treatment will be for male baldness, or how long it will take to hit the market.  FDA approval can be a very long ad drawn out process, but, as always, we shall keep you up to date as and when we hear anything. Watch this space...