OrganTech Hair Cloning Interview 2023
Follicle Thought is pleased to share an exclusive interview with the CEO of OrganTech as we draw closer to 2024.
OrganTech Inc. Resurgence
Prior to the year 2020, one researcher’s name was held synonymously with the topic of hair cloning by online hair-seeking communities – Dr. Takashi Tsuji, and most often, just “Tsuji.” The stem cell research being carried out by Dr. Tsuji at the Riken Institute was world class, and the appeal of faster regulatory pathways in Japan were mesmerizing to the follically challenged. Organ Technologies was identified as the company to translate Dr. Tsuji’s hair cloning research from the lab to the clinic. Industry partnerships with technology companies were announced, and various comments by Dr. Tsuji and his company’s leadership pointed to 2020 as the year when hair cloning would finally be trialed in humans in Japan. And then things went quiet. For various apparent reasons, and adding in the global health crisis of 2020, Dr. Tsuji’s venture with Organ Technologies closed it doors and the potential of a human hair cloning trial went with it. However, now in 2023, it appears that Dr. Tsuji’s absence in the global hair regeneration race may have only been temporary.
Just before the start of 2023, the organization now known as OrganTech secured an investment from the Japanese company Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, and in January 2023, its business was resurrected. An officialpress releasepublished on OrganTech’s website in February detailed the company’s history and current business endeavors. At that time, hair regeneration was still mentioned as one of the company’s flagship technologies along with regenerative dental (tooth) implants. Typically speaking, companies aiming at lofty goals such as hair cloning are usually “a few years away” from trials, or “have plans to begin” something in the following year. As we are approaching a new year, I wanted to check in with OrganTech leadership to get as accurate a forecast as possible on what’s next for its hair regeneration medicine.
Takashi Kondo (organ-tech.jp)
Interview With CEO Takashi Kondo
FT:What attracted you to become a new CEO with OrganTech?
Takashi Kondo:Through a friend’s introduction, I met Dr. Tsuji and was immensely impressed by the technology he developed. I felt that it held tremendous potential to change the future of medicine. On the other hand, I realized they were at a loss when it came to fundraising and business development and that they needed someone to support them in these areas. Having worked at a general trading company, I’ve gained experience in everything from business operations to business development. In addition, at a strategy consulting firm, I honed my skills in formulating business strategies and abstracting business models, and at a buyout fund, I acquired knowledge in fundraising, financial management, and other finance-related areas. I believe that by leveraging these experiences, I can accelerate OrganTech’s business, make a significant impact on society,
and enrich people’s lives. That’s why I decided to join.
Through our organ regeneration technology at OrganTech, not only do we aim to improve the Quality of Life (QOL) of those suffering from hair loss through regenerative hair treatments, but we also intend to venture into regenerating other organs in the future, significantly expanding the possibilities of future medical treatments. Furthermore, in the fields of drug discovery and cosmetics, we hope our technology will be utilized to ensure smooth development in a world without animal testing.
FT: Can you bring us up to date on the important developments by OrganTechsince the company has been renewed?
Takashi Kondo: Currently, we are engaged in three business operations: hair regeneration, next-generation implants, and three-dimensional artificial skin.
Regarding the hair regeneration business, we are preparing documents for clinical research, and we plan to transplant regenerated hair follicle primordia into humans as early as the second quarter of 2024. In addition, we are continuing research to further enhance the hair growth rate and plan to sequentially perform primordia transplants into humans using new technology.
Similarly, for next-generation implants, we are preparing for clinical research and plan to commence the implantation of these next-generation implants into humans from the second quarter of 2024. Presently, we have initiated discussions with overseas partners and are preparing to sequentially conduct clinical trials abroad.
The three-dimensional artificial skin has already been commercialized. We are advancing contract agreements with various companies and will beproceeding with the use of our intellectual property and technology transfer. This will enable the exploration of new ingredients for cosmetics and topical medicines without animal testing, contributing to the realization of an animal-friendly society.
FT: Is there anything else we should know about OrganTech’s current business and plans?
Takashi Kondo: We are planning to go public and raise funds in the stock market to further our research and development efforts. After analyzing, we believe that NASDAQ is the most suitable stock exchange for this purpose, and we have currently started preparations for the listing.
If there are institutional investors interested in our business, please get in touch.
Discussion
Special thanks to OrganTech CEO Takashi Kondo for taking the time to share these responses with our audience. This is the first mention I’ve heard of OrganTech eyeing an IPO on NASDAQ – very interesting news. An IPO could allow the company access to a multitude of necessary capital for its R&D efforts. Also, the subject which is most dear to the hearts of the audience, the timeline to trials, has been further estimated to potentially happen as soon as Q2 2024. Previously, a human hair regeneration trial by OrganTech wasestimated to beginat some point in 2024 which is a standard and somewhat vague estimation. Finally, we received insight into Dr. Tsuji’s lab’s efforts into further refining and improving its hair cloning technology with a higher growth rate.
Enjoy this news and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Thank you for reading. As always, please remember that projections/estimates can only be classified as they are. And big thanks to GGG for the tips.
We wish the best to OrganTech in its pursuits.
Interesting interview! Let’s hope Organtech sticks to their schedule. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing the interview admin
https://www.pharmexec.com/view/chime-biologics-hope-medicine-strike-manufacturing-deal
Hopefully 2024-2025 is a big year or 2 in launching to market new treatments for androgenetic alopecia. And hopefully grey hair treatments follow, Eirion therapeutics front runners so far..
安迪是个好消息,谢谢你的分享。显然这s deal will help support the development of HMI-115 for AGA. I also saw this post on Reddit which I think you will enjoy.https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcpt/2023/7238029/
Brilliant!
Sounds completely plausible unlike the numerous others we have heard before
Thanks Bobby, I agree it does sound plausible, let’s see how it goes.
I’m not sure how effective thar will be in humans as that just shows mice from what I read. Also maybe more effective at preventing grey hair rather than reversing. At the moment I’m still holding out hope for Eirion as they sound the most promise of having a proper solution, hopefully they have an update soon for starting clinical trials.
我错过了福田会议和睡过头了。@Andy I’m surprised they haven’t given us an update on anything since it’s been over a year now since they’ve provided us with any kind of update. I’ve not given up on them but I’m cautious. Plus did you hear about a Japanese company YJ Lab? They’re working on greying too, but no website as of yet.https://www.thebell.co.kr/free/content/ArticleView.asp?key=202309051458526280105742
Yoyo, yes seen the YJ lab sounds the real deal but hard to believe it or back their claims up with no website or nothing to track their progress. So I’ve all my eggs in the eirion basket, if things don’t go to plan for them I’ll be gutted as it seems the real deal for both hair loss hair greying and anti aging in general.
The reason I have faith is because their other candidates are currently going through FDA trials so who knows lol
做we have any Japanese readers here? Please comment.
Hey FT, is there a PDF document that you have? Because I think I would know how to translate that to English.https://www.onlinedoctranslator.com/en/translate-japanese-to-english_ja_en
YoYo, thanks very much. I was looking to translate audio actually.
Oh okay, I heardhttps://sonix.ai/how-to-translate-japanese-audio-to-english-text#:~:text=Sonix%20has%20an%20advanced%20Japanese,from%20all%20over%20the%20worldIs really good, however, I haven’t personally used it myself. Hope that helps.
Thank you!