Phase III trial of oral minoxidil showed an increase in hair count

On October 19, 2026, Veradermics reported results from a Phase III trial of VDPHL01 in men with mild-to-moderate male pattern hair loss. It is an extended-release form of minoxidil taken orally. The study included 536 participants, who received the drug at 8.5 mg once or twice daily, or placebo.

After six months, the mean number of non-vellus hairs in the target area increased by 28.6 hairs/cm² with once-daily treatment and by 36.4 hairs/cm² with twice-daily treatment. In the placebo group, the increase was 6.6 hairs/cm². VDPHL01 outperformed placebo on both primary measures: in addition to hair counts, the study assessed whether participants reported an improvement or significant improvement in their condition on a specific scale.

Improved hair coverage on this scale was reported by 78.8% of participants taking the drug once daily and 85.0% taking it twice daily; the figure was 35.3% in the placebo group. The drug was generally well tolerated. No serious treatment-related adverse events or cardiac events were observed in the trial.

VDPHL01 has not yet been approved by the FDA.

Translation editor: Ловушкин А.