STAT+: Veradermics’ hair loss drug succeeds in late-stage trial

STAT PlusBiotech Veradermics’ hair loss drug succeeds in late-stage trial The company is a major player in the field, which has seen a surge of investor enthusiasm Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Allison DeAngelisApril 27, 2026 Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter Allison DeAngelis[email protected]Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01. An oral medicine for hair loss successfully spurred hair growth in a late-stage trial, startup Veradermics announced Monday. Veradermics assessed the pill in two ways: by how many hairs grew within a square centimeter of the scalp, on average, and by how satisfied participants were with the results. Over the course of six months, men who took the drug, known as VDPHL01, either once or twice daily had between 30 and 33 more hairs per square centimeter of scalp. Men in the placebo group grew approximately seven additional hairs.Advertisement Between 79% and 86% of men taking VDPHL01 said they saw improvement, along with between 72% and 84% of the clinical trial investigators — results that pleased Reid Waldman, a dermatologist turned Veradermics’ chief executive. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In biotechnology, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Allison DeAngelis Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01. Newsletter Your morning rundown of the science, politics, and money driving biotech today Recommended Biotech April 27, 2026 STAT Plus: Oruka’s long-acting psoriasis therapy posts strong results in mid-stage study Biotech April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA to speed up review of three psychedelics as mental health treatments Advertisement The Readout April 24, 2026 STAT Plus: Sanofi MS drug gets positive review in Europe following FDA Biotech April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump celebrates closing first round of drug pricing deals, promises more ahead The Readout April 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Sanofi research priorities in flux as new CEO logs in Subscriber Picks