RepliCel Reports Progress on Shiseido Technology Transfer for RCH-01 Treatment for Pattern Baldness

RepliCel Reports Progress on Shiseido Technology Transfer for RCH-01 Treatment for Pattern Baldness

December 19, 2013

Source: replicel.com 

Vancouver, Canada – December 19, 2013 – RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. (OTCQB: REPCF) (CNSX: RP) today reported on the progress of its technology transfer agreement with its partner, Shiseido Company, Limited.

Recently, a group from Shiseido met with RepliCel management and advisors in Vancouver, BC to continue the technology transfer between the two companies as outlined in the July 9, 2013 licensing agreement. The Shiseido team spent three weeks in the lab with RepliCel’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Kevin McElwee and Director, Research and Development, Dr. Hisae Nakamura learning techniques of specific hair follicle cell isolation and replication methods for RCH-01.  Furthermore, RepliCel’s Vice-President of Clinical Affairs, Darrell Panich reviewed progress to date in the clinical development program of RCH-01 and discussed the plans for future development in the companies’ respective regions.

During this past quarter, Dr. Nakamura and representatives from the Shiseido team visited RepliCel’s contract Good Manufacturing Practice compliant facility in Innsbruck, Austria.  It was during this visit that the transfer of RCH-01 manufacturing technology between the two companies and its contract manufacturer was initiated.

“These meetings have done much to foster the collaborative relationship between RepliCel and Shiseido and both companies are committed to working very closely on the successful development of RCH-01,” said Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Kevin McElwee. “Both teams will continue in-depth research and development in the laboratory and clinical trials with the goal of commercializing a safe and effective hair regenerative treatment to help those suffering from pattern baldness and thinning hair.”  In this regard, RepliCel expects to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial for RCH-01 in the EU in the first half of 2014.  In addition, both companies will work towards establishing a clinical research program in Asia with the goal of increasing the available human clinical data on RCH-01.  Collaborative technology transfer will continue between the companies as any new improvements to the RCH-01 technology are developed by either party.

As per the agreement, Shiseido will have an exclusive geographic license to use RepliCel’s RCH-01 hair regeneration technology in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and the ASEAN countries representing a population of approximately 2.1 billion people.

New Regenerative Medicine Legislation Passed in Japan

On November 20, 2013 the Japanese Legislature approved new legislation targeted at improving the development and regulatory processes for regenerative medicine therapies. The Regenerative Medicine Law directs the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to adopt new procedures and rules that will accelerate the clinical development of regenerative medicine and cell therapies. The Japanese Pharmaceutical Affairs Law will now become the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act that will include a new branch specifically for Regenerative Medicine Products, which will be regulated on a fast track process that focuses primarily on product safety. Under the law, the government is responsible for mapping out and implementing measures to safely accelerate research and development projects and make regenerative medicine widely available in the country. The law specifically stipulates that the government must make basic plans for the promotion of regenerative medicine and change such plans if necessary by reviewing them at least every three years in light of any changes in external conditions that may occur. This news positively impacts RepliCel and its licensing partner, Shiseido, as it looks to conduct human clinical trials on RCH-01.

About RepliCel Life Sciences
RepliCel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing autologous cell therapies.  RepliCel Tendon-01 (RCT-01) is a cell therapy for the treatment of chronic tendon injuries.  RepliCel Hair-01 (RCH-01) is a cellular treatment for androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). Shiseido Company, Limited has an exclusive geographic license for RCH-01 in certain Asian countries including Japan, China and South Korea. Both product candidates are based on RepliCel’s innovative technology which utilizes cells isolated from a patient’s own healthy hair follicles to address specific cellular deficits.  For additional information please visit www.replicel.com.

About Shiseido Company, Limited

Shiseido was established in 1872 as Japan’s first Western-style pharmacy.  Since then, the company has led the cosmetic technology and culture in Japan over more than 100 years.  The company now aspires to become a “global player to represent Asia with origins in Japan” and operate businesses all over the world, including Europe, the U.S. and Asia.  Its representative global brand, “SHISEIDO” is now sold in 89 countries and regions as of April 2013.

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Hair loss myth buster

Hair loss myth buster

NHS Choices

Source: nhs.uk

 

For every hair loss treatment that works there are a dozen that don’t, but some age-old myths live on. We sort fact from fiction in 20 of the most common hair loss myths.

 

Do you know the facts?

 

1) Hair loss comes from the mother's side.

 

FALSE: Baldness is hereditary, but it’s not limited to the maternal side of the family. The hair loss gene can come from either parent.

 

2) Frequent ejaculation can cause baldness.

 

FALSE: There’s no proven link between frequent ejaculation and hair loss. There’s also no truth to the myth that the more sex you have the less hair you’ll lose.

 

3) Washing your head in cold water can cure baldness.

 

FALSE: Washing your head every morning in cold water may boost blood circulation but it does nothing for baldness.

 

4) Losing hair every day means you're balding.

 

FALSE: If you’ve got male-pattern baldness then, yes, you’ll lose hair every day. That said, it’s normal to lose as many as 100 hairs a day. These will usually grow back.

 

5) It’s normal to start to lose some hair from our early 30s.

 

TRUE: As you get older, the number of hair follicles on your scalp will progressively reduce. With ageing, hair becomes finer and more sparse.

 

6) Hair products don't cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Haircare products don’t cause hair loss. You can mix as much gel, mousse or spray into your hair as you like.

 

7) Standing on your head cures hair loss.

 

FALSE: Standing on your head to increase blood flow won’t regenerate your scalp. Blood circulation has no influence on hair loss.

 

8) Constantly wearing hats can cause baldness.

 

FALSE: Unless your hat is so tight that it puts excessive tension on the hair, it doesn't matter if you wear a cap 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wearing hats does not lead to hair loss.

 

9) Brushing or massaging the scalp can reduce hair loss.

 

FALSE: Blood circulation doesn’t boost hair growth. However, too much brushing may cause injury, leading to loss of hair.

 

10) Some hairstyles can cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Styles that put too much tension on hair – such as tight plaits, ponytails, cornrows or winding too tightly onto rollers (especially heated rollers) – can cause some hair loss.

 

11) Cutting your hair can help prevent hair loss.

 

FALSE: Hair feels thicker after a haircut because hair is thicker at the base. Cutting your hair will not help to prevent male- or female-pattern baldness.

 

12) Wigs and toupees can make hair loss worse.

 

FALSE: Hair doesn’t need to breathe. Only the roots are alive, and they get their oxygen from the blood in the scalp. Wigs and hairpieces only damage hair if they are too tight.

 

13) Washing your hair too often can cause hair loss.

 

FALSE: Washing your hair doesn't cause balding. Shampoo only removes hair that has already fallen out.

 

14) Long exposure to the sun leads to hair loss.

 

FALSE: Hair loss occurs at the follicle level. Fortunately, your hair acts as a shield against the sun to protect the roots.

 

15) Hair dyes can cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Most hair-colouring treatments contain chemicals that, if not properly used, are harmful to hair. However, such dyes don’t cause permanent hair loss.

 

16) A bad diet can cause hair loss.

 

FALSE: There is some evidence that a diet very low in iron may be linked with hair loss but in general, hair loss is unlikely to be caused by a bad diet and there’s no evidence that certain types of food boost hair growth or cause hair loss.

 

17) Stress can cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Stressful episodes, such as an accident or surgery, can cause hair production to shut down temporarily. However, stress does not cause male-pattern baldness.

 

18) Hormone problems can cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Problems with your thyroid gland can cause hair loss. Women may have short-term hair loss shortly after pregnancy. Women may also experience hair loss as a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome. This is caused by raised androgen levels but this is not common and the majority of women with PCOS do not suffer from hair loss.

 

19) Steroids can cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Steroid use can cause hair loss. Research has proven that anabolic steroids increase the levels of male hormones that induce baldness.

 

20) Blow drying doesn't cause hair loss.

 

TRUE: Blow drying can damage, burn or dry the hair, which can cause it to fall out, but this hair will grow back immediately. It is not considered to be permanent hair loss.

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