IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While studying the effects of androgens on hair loss, Applied Biology scientists discovered an association between baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and the risk of COVID-19 disease severity. This discovery prompted the company to seek patent protection for technology related to systems, methods and kits for diagnostics and treatment of SARS-CoV-2.
“This is a very exciting finding in which the expression of the enzyme [TMPRSS2] implicated in SARS-CoV-2 viral infectivity is androgen dependent, indicating that, anti-androgen drugs could potentially be used in the treatment of COVID-19. These drugs are similar to the drugs approved for the treatment of male pattern hair loss,” noted Dr. Andy Goren, Applied Biology’s Chief Medical Officer. In a series of five papers in peer-reviewed medical journals published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the Wiley Online Library, the Applied Biology scientists outlined how androgens may be associated with COVID-19 disease severity. Their research points to a potential new therapeutic target and novel diagnostic tests for COVID-19 disease severity based on the androgen receptor. Applied Biology worked with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney to file multiple patent applications on the use of anti-androgens for the treatment of COVID-19.
“Applied Biology’s breakthrough innovation combined with new rules enacted by the USPTO for accelerating COVID-19 innovation allowed us to enter into a select group of patent applicants that will be considered for prioritized examination” said Jason Camillo, a patent attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.
Published Research:
What does androgenetic alopecia have to do with COVID‐19? An insight into a potential new therapy
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is likely to be androgen mediated
Androgen sensitivity gateway to COVID‐19 disease severity
Androgenetic Alopecia Present in the Majority of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients – the “Gabrin sign”
ABOUT APPLIED BIOLOGY
Founded in 2002, Applied Biology, Inc. (www.appliedbiology.com), headquartered in Irvine, California, is a biotechnology company specializing in hair and skin science. Applied Biology develops breakthrough drugs and medical devices for the treatment of androgen mediated dermatological conditions. Applied Biology's R&D pipeline includes a topically applied prophylactic treatment for chemotherapy induced alopecia; a novel diagnostic device that can aid dermatologists in identifying non-responders to topical minoxidil; an adjuvant therapy for non-responders to topical minoxidil; and a novel therapy for female pattern hair loss.