THE BIOTECH: STEMSON THERAPEUTICS
A revolutionary cure for hair loss
About our investee
San Diego-based Stemson Therapeutics are pioneering break through stem cell technology to cure hair loss using the patient’s own cells to generate new follicles.
One in five people suffer from the psychological impact of hair loss and billions are spent on treatments.
Stemson are the first in the world to find a treatment capable of growing new hair follicles.
Last year, they announced £6 million seed financing from impact investor Fortunis Capital and Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, to advance to human trials and full commercialisation.
CEO and co-founder Geoff Hamilton said: “Stemson have established the biological and technical building blocks which are needed to solve the problem of hair loss. A truly curative solution is now feasible, and we have built a world -class team to deliver a therapy for the millions of hair loss sufferers across the world.”
The Problem
Globally, hundreds of millions of men and women suffer from various forms of hair loss and no solution today is capable of generating a new supply of follicles for patients in need.
In the USA alone, $4.5billion is spent every year on hair loss treatments. All wasted on solutions that do not grown new hair.
The impact of hair loss, has strongly been linked to emotional trauma, self-image problems and depression especially among younger ages and women
The Solution
Stemson’s scientists are at the forefront in developing Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells-based treatments.
They have developed new technology at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute that leverages the power of iSPCs to allow them to create new supplies of dermal papilla, the key to hair follicle formation.
Stemson's proprietary cell transplantation procedure ensures the cells anchor effectively under the skin and grow through the skin to yield a healthy hair follicle.
Actual hair growth, not half measures.
Delivering real positive change
Stemson are focussed on the path towards the first human trials. To achieve this goal the focus is on research and development, good infrastructure, strong regulatory environment, access to scientific talent and, of course, cost.
With its world class scientific talent and infrastructure, the UK is on the short list. Fortunis Capital believe they will find full support for this level of scientific innovation.
Ultimately there is an opportunity to develop the world’s first stem cell manufacturing line in the UK.
The IP is fully protected, and the rights to commercialise the regeneration of hair follicles via stem cell science are completely owned by Stemson.