First Androgenetic Alopecia Patient Dosed in a Pilot Study with Aclaris' ATI-502 Topical

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. initiated a Phase 2 open-label study of ATI-502, a topical Janus Kinase (JAK) 1/3 inhibitor (ATI-502 Topical), in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a condition characterized by a genetically determined male/female-pattern baldness. 

This trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability and effect of ATI-502 Topical applied twice daily in 24 adults (12 male and 12 female) with androgenetic alopecia. This 30-week trial will be conducted at three investigational centers within the United States.

JAK signaling has been implicated in maintaining the hair cycle in its resting phase (telogen) in mice. Treatment of mouse telogen skin with topical JAK inhibitors prompts telogen follicles to enter the active growth phase (anagen). Hair loss disorders, such as AGA, in which the hair follicles are arrested in telogen phase, may be responsive to treatment with topical JAK inhibitors to promote their entry into anagen, and thus result in the initiation of hair growth.

 “This trial is the first step in evaluating the potential clinical benefit of ATI-502 topical solution in treating patients with AGA, or male/female pattern baldness,” said Dr. Stuart Shanler, Chief Scientific Officer of Aclaris. “This is an important step forward in understanding the clinical utility of our JAK inhibitors in patients with AGA.”