Top 5 Articles of the Week: May 11-16

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1. Q&A: Pelage's Novel PP405 Advances to Phase 2a for Androgenetic Alopecia

Pelage Pharmaceuticals recently announced its novel topical agent, PP405, has advanced to a phase 2a study for androgenetic alopecia, with enrollment currently underway at sites across the US.

Dermatology Times recently spoke with Qing Yu Christina Weng, MD, chief medical officer of Pelage. Weng is a physician scientist and board-certified dermatologist seeing patients at Massachusetts General Hospital and is a member of Harvard Medical School faculty. She is also on the boards of Advancing Innovation in Dermatology and Immunis, Inc.

2. AI Model Creates Successful Treatment Regimens for Women with Hair Loss

A new clinical study shows that an AI-powered platform developed by MDalgorithms can create personalized hair loss treatments with significant improvements in growth, thickness, fullness, and scalp health over six months. Using smartphone images and patient questionnaires, the AI analyzed hair and scalp data to recommend custom over-the-counter regimens—including shampoos, serums, supplements, and marine collagen peptides. Among 27 women aged 34–65, nearly 90% reported visible improvement with no adverse effects. The AI, trained on 470,000 images, achieved a 94% accuracy rate in diagnosing female androgenetic alopecia in prior research. Experts say the technology could expand accessible, cost-effective care.

3. The Unprecedented Phase 1 Results of ET-02 for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

Eirion Therapeutics has reported promising first-in-human trial results for ET-02, a topical treatment for androgenic alopecia. The drug showed exceptional safety with no local or systemic adverse effects and delivered unprecedented hair regrowth in just 5 weeks—6 times more than placebo and even outperforming minoxidil’s four-month results. Unlike current treatments that stimulate the hair follicle or stem cell, ET-02 targets a correction in defective stem cell biology to restore normal hair growth. With this novel mechanism, ET-02 could reshape the hair loss treatment landscape and potentially play a role in future prevention strategies.

4. Patients with DIMIDs and Pandemic Risks

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (DIMIDs), including atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and vitiligo. The fear of morbidity, mortality, and vaccine hesitancy contributed to disruptions in their daily lives. Patients with immunodeficiency diseases, older individuals, males, and those of non-White ethnicity were at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Interestingly, vaccination, a healthy diet, and atopic conditions were considered protective factors against COVID-19. A recent prospective observational, multicenter, multidisciplinary cohort substudy explored the impact of COVID-19 disease and vaccination on DIMIDs, specifically AD, psoriasis, and vitiligo.

5. Melanoma Research Foundation and Glowbar Join Forces to Fight Skin Cancer

In celebration of May’s Melanoma Awareness Month, the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is collaborating with Glowbar, a membership-based service that specializes in accessible, results-driven facials for patients to utilize alongside their regular dermatological care.1 This is the company’s first philanthropic partnership since its founding in June 2019. In an exclusive interview with Dermatology Times, Rachel Liverman, the founder and CEO of Glowbar, spoke about the company’s pledge to increase overall SPF usage, raise awareness of melanoma prevention, and combine everyday self-care with patient skin health.