Based in Manchester, UK, Intercytex was founded in 1999 as a tissue regenerative company with laboratories and offices in both U.K and U.S.A. Intercytex has a hair regeneration program that has intrigued our forum members for quite some time now. Intercytex's focus is on using dermal papilla cells to induce new hair growth and they called this new procedure TrichoCyte. It has been reported that Intercytex will be starting clinical trials by the end of 2002.

The following is a Q&A session with Intercytex regarding TrichoCyte.

Can you briefly describe how TrichoCyte works? Is it a surgical procedure or a topical application for hair loss? How is it administered?

We are using tissue culture expanded cells to induce new hair formation. As the cells will be injected into the scalp, it will be classed as a surgical procedure.

When do you expect human trials for TrichoCyte to begin? If everything goes as planned, when do you think TrichoCyte will be available to the mass consumers as a hair loss treatment?

Human trials will begin later this year, if all goes as planned we are looking for product submission sometime in 2005. However, please be aware that clinical trials are always difficult, unforeseen hurdles almost always occur. As we will want Trichocyte regulated as a medical product we will need to invest a lot of time to obtain the appropriate efficacy data.

Is your organization open to private funding for the TrichoCyte project? If so can you briefly describe how individual investors can participate in this project?

We have never had private funding from individuals. Our current investors have typically provided sums between $1-5m, smaller figures would incur more of an administrative burden.

Does TrichoCyte work by creating brand new follicles (follicle neogenesis) or does it work by rejuvenating dormant hair follicles?

The former.

What in your opinion are the major obstacles that will hinder the introduction of  TrichoCyte to the mass consumers as a hair loss treatment? Have you encountered any obstacles in your research at this point?

Reliable tissue culture expansion of hair-inductive cells was a hurdle we have spent much time trying to overcome. The main problem with clinicals will be that research data generated thus far does not translate to the patient - only time will tell.

Do you think TrichoCyte will require FDA approval in the United  States? Which country do you think will be the first to have TrichoCyte available as a hair loss treatment?

Yes it will require FDA approval in the US. The first product launch will be in the US.

Closing comments from Intercytex:

Hope this helps. I'm fully aware that many of you have high hopes for the technology (as do we). Senior management at Intercytex all have previous experience of biotechnology, and don't want to over-hype this approach unduly. Nonetheless, we are aware of your interest, appreciate your patience, and will attempt to provide updates as the clinical trials progress.

Credits: Special thanks to AIO for bringing us the Intercytex news in the forum about a month ago. To read the full post from AIO, please click:
Intercytex's TrichoCyte Dermal Papilla Hair Induction Technique

RESEARCH & HAIR MULTIPLICATION FORUM

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