Male Pattern Hair Loss Could Finally Get a New Treatment Approach

Men with male pattern hair loss have had surprisingly few genuinely new treatment options in decades. Now, a topical solution that works differently from anything currently approved has posted strong one-year results, and it could be headed for FDA review soon.

Cosmo Pharmaceuticals shared the 12-month data from two phase 3 trials of its clascoterone 5% topical solution, as reported by Dermatology Times. Together, the SCALP 1 and SCALP 2 studies enrolled 1,465 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia (the medical term for male pattern hair loss) at 51 centers across the U.S. and Europe. The company plans to file for FDA approval in early 2027. If cleared, clascoterone would be the first topical androgen receptor inhibitor for androgenetic alopecia and the first new mechanism of action for male pattern hair loss in more than 30 years.

How It Works

Clascoterone is an androgen receptor inhibitor, designed to reduce signaling from the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Very little of it is absorbed into the body, and the trial data support its use as a long-term, continuous treatment.

What the Trial Found

The trials ran in two stages. For the first six months, men were randomly assigned to either clascoterone or a vehicle (an inactive version of the solution). Those who responded to clascoterone were then re-randomized to keep using clascoterone or switch to the vehicle for another six months.

Staying the course paid off. Men who used clascoterone for the full year saw hair counts in the treated area continue to rise, with a 2.39-fold greater improvement than those who stopped after six months. They also reported a 24.5 percent relative improvement in treatment satisfaction compared with those who switched to the vehicle.

Built for the Long Haul

Across all 12 months, safety and tolerability were comparable to the vehicle, with no significant systemic hormonal side effects.

“AGA requires long-term management, so safety matters enormously. These data are encouraging because they show a profile that supports chronic use over time,” said Maria Hordinsky, MD, professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota and clinical investigator in the phase 3 program.

What This Could Mean for Men

For Michael H. Gold, MD, founder of Gold Skin Care Center, the impact goes well beyond the scalp. “Male pattern hair loss is far more than a cosmetic concern. It affects confidence, identity, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life for millions of men every day. Yet physicians have had very few truly new tools to offer patients for decades,” Gold said. “Seeing a potential new FDA-approved topical treatment with a differentiated mechanism, a favorable safety profile, and efficacy that continues through 12 months is highly meaningful.”

There’s still a wait ahead: Clascoterone isn’t approved yet, and Cosmo has to complete its regulatory filings first. In the meantime, a dermatologist can help you figure out which of today’s options fit you best.