Fukuda Lab & Yokohama University: Hair Cloning Update

Junji Fukuda Starts TrichoSeeds Co. For Commercialization Of Hair Follicle Multiplication Technology: Update (1/28/22)

Nearly four years since Junji Fukuda PhD and team members at Yokohama National University made headlines for their work on a system to mass produce hair follicles, it appears that project is being taken to the next level. On November 20, 2021, Yokohama National University issued a press release in conjunction with two other research institutes detailing the establishment of TrichoSeeds Co., a new venture headed by Junji Fukuda PhD. Thepress releasewas only issued in the Japanese language, which made it difficult to find until now. I have processed the press release PDF through Google translate, so its readability is not perfect, but it allows us to understand the purpose of the press release.

(Click to view) Translated copy of Yokohama – TrichoSeeds Co Press Release

Original Article

If you didn’t hear about french fries causing hair growth in the past two months you probably don’t listen to the news.

然而,我们中的许多人目睹了标题启示s of fried potatoes being touted as a potential new hair growth therapy. The origin of the fast food fantasies can be traced to a research paper lead by Junji Fukuda PhD and members of his lab at Yokohama National University in Japan.The research carried out by the Fukuda lab was focused on producing large scale quantities of hair-follicle germs simultaneously. The key to success, according to Fukuda, was a particular material used on the bottom of the cell-culturing chips which were designed to grow the hair-follicle germs. This ingredient is known as oxygen-permeable dimethylpolysiloxane (aka the magical McDonald’s french fry ingredient.)

The fact that certain french fries also contain this silicone ingredient lead to the laughable correlation of eating fries and growing hair. Although the mainstream media really took this thing for a ride, there may be a reason to get excited for this research discovery. Finding methods to mass produce hair cell aggregates has long been sought after and thought of as a major obstacle to developing a treatment applicable to humans. Junji and his lab appear to have developed a viable solution for this task.

Fukuda Lab

According to its website, the Fukuda lab is a bio-microsystem laboratory focused on the applications of electrochemistry and microfabrication, micro total analysis systems, cell-based assays, and tissue engineering. Phew. Thank goodness I’m only here for the hair research. Thehair-follicle culturing researchfalls under the category “Tissue Engineering” and below is a diagram displaying the Fukuda lab’s method.

University based research is always welcomed news, however at Follicle Thought we are focused on solutions. I thought it would be worthwhile to understand more clearly the current status of this technology. Here’s a Q&A with Junji Fukuda to let us know what’s next for his hair-follicle cloning research.

Q&A With Junji Fukuda PhD

Junji Fukuda PhD

FT: Hair follicle cloning is somewhat of a novel topic in the tissue engineering world. What led you and your lab to research Hair Follicle Germ formation?

Fukuda:AGA is common also in Japan and there are many people obsessed about hair loss. We read a nice paper demonstrating that HFG efficiently generated hairs when transplanted,https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms1784But, procedures used in this paper look very laborious and almost impossible to apply for human treatment because you need at least a few thousands of HFG for a single patient.

FT: What is the next step you and your colleagues are moving into now to further this hair follicle research?

Fukuda:The study was done with mouse cells. Our next step is to prove the same with human hair follicle derived cells. We now have a strong relationship with an AGA clinic and we can continuously get human hair follicles for our research every week.

(Editor’s note: Fukuda also mentionedherethat his lab already has preliminary data using human cells to create HF germs)

FT: Finally, have you received interest from any companies to develop your technology for humans?

Fukuda:Yes. Some companies have contacted me and we have already started some collaborations.

Thank you Junji, for sharing this information with Follicle Thought.

Commentary

It’s interesting to note that the research paper that Junji referenced in his response was lead by none other than Takashi Tsuji, a fan favorite among hair-research followers. Junji noted that the method used in Tsuji’s paper seemed labor intensive and near impossible to utilize for humans. It’s not to say that Tsuji hasn’t developed a superior method to his initial iteration by now, but the comparison puts into perspective what Junji Fukuda and his lab have accomplished. The Fukuda lab has developed a method to efficiently produce hair follicle germs at the scale we need them at, in the thousands. For the inevitable question of “when?”, it would expectedly be a couple years before we see Fukuda’s work used in humans. Follicle Thought will keep an eye on Fukuda Lab’s research and provide updates as they are available.

49 Comments on “Fukuda Lab & Yokohama University: Hair Cloning Update

  1. I am an African American female, with significant hair loss due to Alopecia. Is there a trial scheduled? What are the next steps for this research?

    • Hi Coleen, this research appears to be years away from a clinical trial. However there are many other therapies in human trials listed in the Articles section, as well as in the Ultimate Guide to Hair Regeneration article.

    • Coleen, a reader was concerned about you knowing about the “big 3” treatment options of minox, finasteride, and ketoconazole. Please see a dermatologist.

  2. Am I wrong or would Fukada’s solution be way more cost-effective and even possibly closer to market launch for patients worldwide than anything from Repicel, Shiseido or other stem cell based regenerative biotechs looking to be anywhere near launch?https://www.newsweek.com/chemical-mcdonalds-fries-may-cure-male-baldness-study-say-799439

    How many more years will patients be strung along, this time with all of the hype about year 2020 being the end time for hair loss? And what are the chances that buying stock in Replicel, Shiseido and/or other big firms is not backfiring and actually delaying US launch? Read: Big Greed Factor ruins everything for most of us once again!

    How many of us can afford to leave our jobs, fly to Japan or China, buy the procedure for who knows how many thousands and stay there longer enough to insure that they don’t get hit with any bad surprises? Stem cell medicine is way too far along now for these speed bumps to be happening-and for procedures to be as expensive as they will likely be. Do readers and contributors here truly realize just how fast are we going nowhere? It seems pretty clear why. Hopefully, at least the Sandalore topical will actually launch next year-IF enough greed can be
    kept out of the mix.

  3. On March 13th, 2018 Junji Fukuda PhD told me that he hoped to start clinical trials in “5 years.”

    • Hello since we are now 2022, wouldn’t that mean they should start trial in 1 or 2 years? Pls keep us updated. And can you share a screenshot of the replied email?

      • Thanks, I will share any updates from Dr. Junji as they become available, the last I heard within about 1.5 mos ago, he is working on his project which is now a formal company and therefore cannot share updates until he’s ready to make a notable announcement. I do not share screenshots of emails, I’ve been sharing validated industry news for over 6 years.

  4. Special thanks to reader buguan for the information.

    Also, for anyone wondering when the original article was published, simply look to the date of the first comment in the comment section!

    • I agree it’s a bunch of good news and progress YoYo. Like in the previous Hope article, I asked what people thought of 2022 so far. Also, keep in mind there are potentially other companies like dNovo working behind the scenes who have yet to reveal themselves.

  5. Been a pretty good last few months.
    Saw there was a comment that from 2018 they hoped to get into clinical trials in 5 years.

    Hopefully 2022 is the year they start and we can have another hopeful solution to look forward to.

    Any chance of looking to get another interview Admin?

          • Thanks for for the great work FT!

            I know it is to early to truly know this, but I was wandering about your thoughts on the cost for this treatment relative to some of the other companies out there currently.?

            It did sounds like this group had a bit more focus on ensuring their treatment would be more efficient and scalable aswell as less labor intensive than some of the other treatments such as Dr. Tsuji’s work.

            当我想象经济仍将unobtainable for most of us average baldies the first few years of its release, I’m wandering if those efficiencies may translate to this treatment starting cost being more affordable then the anticipated starting cost for the other researched techniques we’ve heard about. If this was case it could hopefully provide a bit more of an optimistic timeline for when it would be available at a price similar to hair transplants for you average person with hairloss.

          • My only thought is that none of these companies have a realistic price set, and that talk a few years ago about Dr. Tsuji’s price was an isolated estimate. That being said, I imagine that if and when these treatments become available, they would utilize the same credit system that most hair transplant clinics offer now. Pay it off over time. Cost is not a big issue, that is basically certain to work itself out over time, getting the treatment into a clinic is most important.

  6. folliclethought,

    just checking in to say … the end is near

    the days of shiny domes is coming to a close! very happy for the teenagers of today. They wont have to suffer like we did

      • I’d say that we can hope for the best too i mean, even a 10-year perspective isn’t that bad, at 36 you’re still young and with many good years ahead of you to enjoy your hair

      • Hello Yoyo friend. Reading your comment and seeing that you are 26 years old I see myself reflected in you (I am also your age) and how often you visit this page with the same hope as me. Greetings guy!
        And friend FT, if you read my comment now, I’m writing in this section in case you still believe that Fukuda will carry out clinical trials this year, because honestly, after what those of us who read your page have been through, we don’t care if we wait for more years, but I think that This is one of the definitive and scientifically based solutions for baldness (even though unfortunately not results) but human trials are essential and hopefully in 2023 we will finally see the start of such a treatment.
        Thank you for your work for the page and for everyone!

        • I do not believe Fukuda is that close to a clinical trial, no. Perhaps another year or two? I will look forward to my next update from him.

    • To the 60 years olds with a wealth of information on current treatments, has anyone had any issues with using dutasteride long term ( one year or more)? I read recently there might be a possibility of kidney stones, kidney damage or liver damage, but it is not definitive. Just wondering if anyone on this site might have used this drug over the long term and experienced any type of issues.

      Thanks in advance.

  7. So many companies reaching to the final solution , all of them are one step before clinical trails , we are indeed getting cloaer to the end.
    The one that make me happy the most is that once 1 company will make it , we would see tons of new biotech company trying to recreate the same idea.

  8. This year is full of good news so far. No matter what, with all these attempts, our scientitic knowledge of this topic will expand like crazy.

  9. When people say 5 to 10 years away it’s like you’re being sentenced to 5 to 10 years in prison lol. 5 to 10 years is too long. We all just want to see hair cloning in clinics or at least in human trials already. It would have been nice if Stemson and these hair cloning companies started 20 years ago instead of in recent years. And I don’t even know what happened to Tsuji after the bankruptcy disaster the communication is dead, they get so close to trials, and then that shit happens such bs.

    • Hey Woofy it’s definitely possible that human trials for Stemson could potentially happen this year. In the conference Hamilton mentions human trials and about series B, so later this year or early next year we could see it happening. I’m guessing it won’t be in the US since Hamilton is talking about the quickest way to human trials, but still going through the tests in a suitable country, ie Australia, South Korea, UK etc.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxWYMhD1VeE

      • No it’s not possible at all. In 2020 Alexey literally said “3-4 years probably more”. This puts it 2023-2024.

        • I’m not trying to be offensive but you’re not a scientist and are not there to know the exact advancements that have been made/making to confidently put your opinion out there. If human trials are to begin this year or next year, it would make your confidence seem folly.

          • It’s unclear what Terskikh meant. I tend to think he meant getting into a trial around 2023-2024.

        • Yes but Terskikh should be entrusted with the science, not the market and potential release date. Asking him would be pointless essentially. Hamilton is the one assigned with all the marketability.

      • Thank you YoYo for sending me that link. And I hope they start this year

  10. With reference to “old bald 60 year old kid” above, I’m also 60. I’ve been losing my hair since I was 23 (thankfully, very slowly). There isn’t a lot left. One thing that always annoys me is when people just advise shaving your head. Fine if you have a good shaped skull: not in my case. It’s just too cone like, which wasn’t a problem when hidden by enough hair. I had hoped we’d have a proper cure by now. That said, I really think things are looking very hopeful and this latest news just adds to that view; and it is just possible (just) that I will have my own hair back when I’m 70. In the meantime I am seriously considering some sort of hair system. I’m really not sure where to start e.g. is artificial hair really so much worse than real human hair (?); where do I go for a consultation (?); how can I get something as convincing as Bill Shatner has and not look like Michael Fabricant (an eccentric British Brexiter MP: Google him)? If anyone can point me to a site that can give me honest advice about where to start I’d be very grateful (am based in the UK, but am happy to travel to the rest of western Europe if need be). Many thanks.

    • woofy typically has good information on hair systems. I’m not sure if he is up on European options.

  11. Hey Admin,

    Not sure if it’s been said but incase it’s helpful.

    It seems Technoderma has finished it’s 1st(?) Phase 1 trial.

    They essentially completed the single dose phase 1 and are starting the multi dose phase 1.

    News from Technoderma
    http://tkskin.com/en/index.php?a=shows&catid=16&id=18

    Single dose trial page
    https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04913519

    Seems this says 40 days left on recruitment here but not sure that’s accurate since the news says they started on the 5th this month.

    https://www.centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/275081/a-phase-1-study-of-tdm-105795-topical-solution-in-male-subjects-with-androgenetic-alopecia-aga/?page=3&query=hair-loss&rnk=21

    • Hey skycheeseburger do you know the mechanism of action for technoderma product?

      • Hi Shyak,

        I’m actually not sure they even mention it.

        Since it’s a multidose trial they’re doing i know it’ll probably be a daily topical.

        If it’s aiming to cause growth, prevent loss or both, I couldn’t say. Maybe admin knows more.

        PS just noticed the update page did cover the update. Sorry check the article page and just say last update at around may

  12. Hi FT , thank you for this great news but may I ask you what’s the difference between Fukuda lab’s and han bio . is Han bio also working on hair cloning? But most of all what’s the difference between the two? Thank you for your time.

    • Hi Marc, you’re welcome. Han Bio appears to be working on a dermal papilla cell injection therapy, similar to the company HairClone. Never heard of them working on hair cloning. Fukuda Lab seems to be working on creating engineered/multiplied hair follicles in vitro similar to what Stemson is working on.

      • 酷谢谢你如果我可能会问你如何反应come you don’t have Dr junji Fukuda and Fukuda labs on your bracket in your ultimate guide pipeline? Does that mean me and everyone I know shouldn’t hold there breath for this? I hope that’s not a weird question to ask you, and if it is pardoned me.

        • Marc, no problem on the question. Dr. Fukuda is not on the Guide yet because it’s very early. Even as he has started a new company it’s likely he is in very early days. However, when I receive new information that he is really moving on something he will go on the Guide. The Ultimate Guide is a subjective list of companies who I feel are the furthest along and closest to making significant milestones. I also made the Master List article to include every company, regardless of their progress. Junji is on the Master List and could be also moved onto the Ultimate Guide at any moment

  13. Just one more question please, in a above comment you stated that in 2018 junji Fukuda told you in 5 years he Hope’s to start human trials which would be 2023 if my math is correct. Do you think that’s a real possibility and if so what time frame of a commercial release date realistically speaking do you think if even possible it’ll be available to us. And if I may add please excuse me but I feel its going to be the year 2026 and the estimated released date of 2029-2033 for stemsons therapeutic will change to 2035- 2038 keep in mind there’s a huge huge chance hair cloning will not work on human skin. May I please ask for your thoughts on this. Thank you for all your work. I would greatly appreciate your feed back so I can have closure and move on with my life, and not sit around hoping .
    因为这是字面上的精神折磨我知道的s dramatic but I’ve been waiting for hair cloning since Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1997. thanks again for your valid information. : )

    • 马克我不推荐找到关闭在你的生活e based on the opinions of someone else. I would recommend you finding closure now by coming to terms with what your options are now and the certainty that the future is uncertain. I feel that is important for you to do.

      To your questions, absolutely it is a possibility that Fukuda could start a human trial in 2023 even if it is unlikely. I have a limited perspective of his progess, if I was in his lab I would know more. For Stemson, my opinion is that an estimated release date of 2029-2033 is fine for now. That’s a long time away. Within the next 2 years I will know more and can adjust the dates accordingly if need be. That’s why they can only be estimated.

  14. I just heard from Junji Fukuda PhD again today. It seems that with the business now incorporated they will not be releasing information as freely. I will share any updates as they are available.

    • Hmmm interesting thank you for your work. So your saying there’s a Chance…..

  15. Is transplanTed hair permanent or not?
    After transplantation do we need to take fina or minoxidil?did junji Fukuda form any human hair follicle germ or only mouse hair germ?when he will begin clinical trial?

    • We would only have the answers to those questions when the treatment has been on the market for several years. Perhaps if it got to human trials, by then we would have a pretty good idea of it.

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