KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals has entered into two separate license agreements with Actelion Pharmaceuticals and the University of Pennsylvania for setipiprant, a clinical-stage selective and potent oral antagonist to the prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) receptor that may present a novel approach for the treatment of hair loss. The acquisition of worldwide rights could enable KYTHERA to bring a new treatment to the very large and still highly unsatisfied hair loss market.
Under the terms of the agreement with Actelion, KYTHERA Holdings Ltd., a subsidiary of KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, licensed the worldwide rights to setipiprant. Under the terms of the agreement with the University of Pennsylvania, KYTHERA Holdings Ltd., acquired exclusive worldwide rights to certain patent rights owned by the University of Pennsylvania covering the use of PGD2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of hair loss.
The discovery of the relationship between PGD2 and hair loss was made in the laboratory of George Cotsarelis, MD, and published in late 2011. KYTHERA has been supporting Dr. Cotsarelis’ research at the University of Pennsylvania over the last two years under sponsored research and option agreements to further develop the initial reported observations. KYTHERA plans to conduct a human proof-of-concept study to establish the efficacy of setipiprant in male subjects with androgenic alopecia (AGA).
“These two licenses build on KYTHERA’s focus on developing and commercializing high-value, self-pay aesthetic products that have the promise to yield high patient satisfaction and enhanced self image,” said Keith Leonard, KYTHERA’s president and CEO. “Based on several years of research and clinical work already accomplished, we believe we have the possibility of reaching initial proof-of-concept data in a very capital efficient manner.”
