Early Phase II clinical trial for RK-023 to treat androgenetic alopecia

R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. has started early Phase II clinical trial for RK-023, a physiologically active fatty acid derivative developed by the company -- a new compound targeted as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

Phase I clinical trial in healthy male volunteers that began in 2008 demonstrated the safety of RK-023. Early phase II clinical trial has been started for two purposes. One is to evaluate the safety of RK-023 for long-term use by men with pattern baldness. The other is to examine the preliminary effectiveness of this compound on hair growing. This clinical trial will be a double blind, placebo-controlled study in which the study drug is applied to the scalp for 13 consecutive weeks.

"I am very pleased that early phase II clinical trial for RK-023 has started," said Dr. Yukihiko Mashima, president of R-Tech Ueno. "This is a compound that we are developing on our own for the treatment of male pattern baldness, which is part of our core dermatology operations. We plan to proceed with development activities quickly while conducting negotiations concerning alliances with companies in Japan and overseas."

R-Tech Ueno determines to complete the development of RK-023, quickly in order to provide assistance as soon as possible to men who are troubled by the loss of hair.