New Delhi

Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, is one of the most common forms of hair loss among men, often beginning in their late 20s or early 30s, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The condition leads to progressive hair thinning, a receding hairline, and permanent hair loss on the scalp.

Over the years, countless studies and treatments have emerged, yet none have delivered consistently strong results until now. An acne drug approved five years ago, clascoterone, has shown remarkable promise in treating male pattern baldness.

Acne Drug Shows Breakthrough Results in Baldness Treatment

In the last week of November, Ireland-based Cosmo Pharmaceuticals announced highly encouraging findings from two Phase III clinical trials of clascoterone. The studies involved 1,500 men, comparing a placebo group with participants treated using the drug.

In the first trial, clascoterone delivered a 539% improvement in hair restoration.

The second trial recorded a 168% improvement.

The company also reported that the drug was safe and well tolerated, marking it as a strong candidate for widespread use.

“With strong efficacy across the two largest Phase III studies, and a favourable safety profile, clascoterone 5% topical solution opens the door to a fundamentally better treatment paradigm for patients,” said Giovanni Di Napoli, CEO of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals.

What This Means for the Future of Hair Loss Treatment

If approved by the FDA next year, clascoterone would become the first new treatment for male pattern baldness in nearly three decades. Interestingly, the same drug had already received FDA approval in 2020—when Cassiopea (now part of Cosmo) launched it as a topical acne medication.

The breakthrough could finally offer hope to millions who spend heavily on hair loss solutions that often fail to deliver results.

The Seven Stages of Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness develops gradually and typically progresses through seven stages:

Stage 1: No noticeable hair loss or hairline changes.

Stage 2: Mild recession at the temples and around the ears.

Stage 3: Visible deepening of the hairline, forming an ‘M’ or ‘U’ shape.

Stage 4: Hair thinning begins at the crown.

Stage 5: Hairline recession starts merging with the balding crown.

Stage 6: Significant loss between temples and crown.

Stage 7: Complete baldness on top of the head, with hair remaining only around the sides.

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A Possible Game Changer

If clascoterone secures FDA approval, it could revolutionise the treatment of androgenic alopecia offering a clinically proven solution for those battling hair loss and seeking real, long-term results.