What it is and how it works
PP405 is a small-molecule drug that targets the “Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier” (MPC). By blocking this carrier, the drug forces the stem cells to burn energy through a process called glycolysis, which produces lactate. This surge in lactate acts as a “persuasive wake-up call” for dormant follicles, telling them to stop resting and start growing new hair.
The Science
The drug is based on UCLA research by scientists William Lowry and Heather Christofk, who identified that a metabolic shift is necessary to trigger the hair cycle. CEO Daniel Gil stated that the innovation is “grounded in innovative science” that restores the body’s natural ability to grow hair. Because the drug is “unstable in blood,” it stays localized in the scalp and doesn’t affect the rest of the body.
Availability and Benefit
Pelage Pharmaceuticals secured $120 million in funding in late 2025 to begin Phase 3 trials in 2026. It is expected to become commercially available between 2028 and 2030. Currently, the only way to access it is through clinical trials (NCT06393452).