It began with a baby’s hairy mole. Maksim Plikus noticed that the hair growing from an infant’s mole wasn’t the typical peach fuzz common with babies, but that the hair was long and thick like an adult.
Scientists have been puzzled for decades about why hair follicles begin or stop growing hair. And like the best scientists, Plikus didn’t let oddities rest. The professor of developmental and cell biology at UC Irvine’s School of Biological Sciences dedicated a decade to investigating why a baby’s hairy mole (called a congenital melanocytic nevus) grows thick, long hair. Eventually, Plikus found his answer: signaling molecules from senescent cells. His research, published in the journal Nature, has been hailed as an “incredible UC research breakthrough.”
Recognizing the impact his discovery could make, Plikus teamed up with industry experts to form Amplifica, a biopharmaceutical startup based on his research. Amplifica is focused on developing novel treatments to address the most common form of hair loss, called androgenetic alopecia or testosterone driven hair loss. The startup is poised to alter the lives of the estimated 80 million Americans with androgenic alopecia.
Unraveling Hair Growth
While most people would see a hairy mole as a problem, Plikus had the unique ability to see this phenomenon as an opportunity. Although senescent (aging and degraded) pigment cells found in moles are typically seen as harmful as they accumulate in body tissues, Plikus discovered a silver lining. The senescent pigment cells in hairy moles generate abundant osteopontin, a signaling molecule that prompts dormant hair follicles to activate their stem cells and foster hair growth.
Plikus simplifies his research by likening a hair follicle to a 3D printer that runs continuously, printing hair. If you cut your hair, your follicle will “print” more. But if at some point, genetics causes the printer to shut down, the printer/follicle is still there. It just needs to be plugged in or rebooted for the printing to restart.
The “reboot” needed in this case is the signaling molecules from senescent cells. The hair follicles of people with androgenetic alopecia are mostly intact; they’re just dormant. Plikus and the Amplifica team plan to apply these activating signaling molecule to the scalp to prompt dormant follicles to produce new hair, effectively reverse engineering nature to recreate a natural phenomenon.
“But the real credit goes to Max for his entrepreneurial vision, understanding the value, and promoting it within UCI”
– Wajdie Ahmad, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman & COO
Proof of Product is a transformative resource for UC Irvine researchers, designed to infuse use-inspiration and critical funds into commercially promising research projects. Through rigorous review, feedback and selection by domain experts, researchers can seek up to $100,000 in critical funding to advance commercialization. This crucial support underwrites a spectrum of activities, including customer discovery efforts, feasibility studies, and prototype development. These pivotal phases of commercial validation enhance a project’s appeal to investors and refine its marketability with industry partners.
For more information about Proof of Product, please visit: https://innovation.uci.edu/pop-grants/
Rooted Together
Recognizing the limitations in the current market, Plikus saw the entrepreneurial potential of his research, and worked with the Cove to attract interest from industry. He applied and received a Proof of Product (POP) grant from UCI Beall Applied Innovation to further develop his research into a commercially viable product.
Around the same time, biotech executive Wajdie Ahmad sold his company to Allergen and was exploring promising technologies on the Cove’s website. Plikus’ research caught his attention. He reached out to director of licensing Casie Kelly, who put him in touch with Plikus.
Ahmad has strong ties to the university. He arrived at UCI as an MBA student and since then, has been heavily “entrenched” with the university.
“My deep connection with UCI is a two-way street. I give back to help Orange County’s biotech ecosystem grow, while also exploring opportunities aligned with my interests,” he says.
Plikus was lucky to align with top-notch talent out of the gate. In addition to Ahmad, he linked up with Dr. William Rassman, an entrepreneur and hair transplant “guru,” as well with venture investor Spencer Segura. Amplifica has an exclusive, world-wide license agreement with the Regents of the University of California and has also received its own patent covering composition and methods for stimulating hair growth.
The co-founders soon connected with executive Frank Fazio who came on board with many years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.
“But the real credit goes to Max for his entrepreneurial vision, understanding the value, and promoting it within UCI,” says Ahmad.
The Amplifica team remains small. They have three full-time employees and have used their connections to enlist external parties for the services required for the company’s growth.
“I think that’s of paramount importance to any company’s success, is to have the right people at the right time,” says Fazio.
Boosting Innovative Solutions
In October 2022, Amplifica announced a successful Series A financing of $11.8M to advance target compounds into the clinic. This crucial milestone will help the startup move to a more established and scalable business.
The company has several compounds at various stages of development. They started human trials in June 2023 on one of the compounds and are planning for additional studies once pre-clinical development testing is complete. The end goal is for patients to be able to receive the hair growth treatment at a dermatologist’s office, similar to other cosmetic procedures like Botox or fillers.
“The treatment would have a large impact on how patients view themselves and how patients believe others will view them,” Fazio says.
Amplifica’s journey highlights how the power of curiosity not only reveals the mysteries of science, but how it drives innovative solutions with real impact.
Discover more at: https://amplificabio.com
Update Notice (September 30, 2024): Amplifica recently announced that its first clinical trial in humans was a success. Just one treatment with AMP-303, the company’s injectable solution, significantly increased the number of thicker, darker hairs on the scalp. These promising effects lasted for at least 150 days, even in areas that are typically difficult to treat, such as the front and sides of the scalp. The trial showed no adverse effects, highlighting AMP-303’s potential as a breakthrough in hair loss treatment. Click here for more information.