Caretopic® Finasteride Spray: A Groundbreaking Topical Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia
Hair and scalp health have long impacted people’s lives. In recent years, “going bald” has become a popular internet buzzword, used not only to humorously describe one’s overwhelming daily stresses but also reflecting that hair loss has increasingly become a concern for modern individuals. This year, Caretopic, a brand under Coty Biopharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.’s “Hair Volume Geometry” portfolio,®Finasteride Spray Enters the Chinese Market, Bringing New Hope to Patients with Hair Loss, Especially Androgenetic Alopecia
“The Pain of Androgenetic Alopecia” Urgently Needs to Be Addressed
“Androgenetic alopecia” occurs when testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5α-reductase. DHT causes hair follicles to shrink and weaken, potentially leading to their necrosis and disappearance. Today, the population affected by androgenetic alopecia is growing increasingly large and trending toward younger age groups, significantly impacting patients’ mental health and quality of life.
However, constrained by current theoretical research and technological capabilities, the number of therapeutic agents for androgenetic alopecia remains limited. The U.S. FDA has approved only two drugs: minoxidil and finasteride. Each product has its own advantages and disadvantages. Minoxidil is a topical medication that activates hair follicles and shortens the telogen (resting) phase of hair growth. However, it may cause side effects such as initial shedding, increased body hair growth, and dandruff. Finasteride is an oral medication that can fundamentally address hair follicle degeneration; however, due to its suppression of androgens, it may lead to sexual dysfunction and psychological disorders in patients.
As can be seen, although finasteride can fundamentally improve androgenetic alopecia, its side effects deter many patients. Therefore, providing safer and more effective treatment options for patients with hair disorders has become a key research focus for many scholars and institutions.
A Global First: Can It Become the Savior for Androgenetic Alopecia?
In 2021, the world's first topical finasteride product—Caretopic®Finasteride Spray Launched in Europe. It offers the advantage of achieving therapeutic efficacy comparable to oral finasteride while directly reducing systemic adverse reactions.
This product features a patented “mechanical spray device” on its packaging, enabling precise, metered release of the medication during use. Its proprietary HPCH technology ensures high concentrations of active ingredients reach the reticular dermis directly. More importantly, its average maximum systemic exposure is over 100 times lower than that of oral finasteride, offering both safety and efficacy.
Figure: Administration method of finasteride spray
For this newly developed spray-on finasteride, the primary concern has been whether it can maintain therapeutic efficacy while reducing side effects. In October 2021, the product’s research team conducted a 24-week clinical trial across 45 sites in Europe. The experimental data revealed that the baseline hair counts in the target treatment areas were very similar between the spray formulation and oral finasteride.
Figure: Mean change from baseline in target area hair count at Weeks 12 and 24 in the intent-to-treat population. Black line: finasteride spray; green line: placebo; purple line: oral finasteride
Regarding side effects, experimental results demonstrated that finasteride spray significantly reduced the impact on serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels compared to oral finasteride. In other words, the likelihood of finasteride spray inducing sexual dysfunction and psychological disorders in patients is extremely low.
Figure: Effects of topical finasteride, placebo, or oral finasteride on mean serum dihydrotestosterone concentrations after 24 weeks of treatment. Orange line: finasteride spray; green line: placebo; black line: oral finasteride
Caretopic®Finasteride spray is a flagship product under Codi Bio-Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.’s “Hair Volume Geometry” brand. “Hair Volume Geometry” is Codi’s brand dedicated to the hair loss sector, committed to providing users with scientifically grounded diagnostic and treatment solutions. The brand is currently strategically deploying a portfolio of globally sourced premium products to address the “full-scenario personalized needs” of patients with hair loss. Currently, Caretopic®Finasteride spray is currently available for purchase exclusively at the Boao Yiling Life Care Center in Lecheng, Hainan. It is reported that the company is undergoing domestic clinical registration for this product, and it is anticipated that patients with hair loss will soon have more convenient access to this blockbuster product within China.
Image source: Official website of Boao Yiling Life Care Center
Overall, Caretopic®Finasteride spray can effectively improve hair loss caused by androgens. Meanwhile, the topical spray administration significantly minimizes impacts on patients’ other physiological functions, thereby enhancing treatment adherence. The emergence of this product holds significant importance for patients with androgenetic alopecia in achieving disease remission and avoiding adverse effects.