What is TDM-105795, and why is it being studied as a potential product for hair loss and hair growth support?

TDM-105795 is an experimental small molecule drug candidate being developed for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia—a medical term for the most common form of hair loss in both men and women, often called male-pattern or female-pattern hair loss. Unlike shampoo ingredients or cosmetic products, TDM-105795 is being studied as a medicinal, topical solution with the potential to stimulate biological processes in hair follicles that may encourage hair growth. The compound is not yet an approved treatment and remains under clinical investigation by the biotechnology company Technoderma Medicines, Inc. in formal human studies.

Scientific research into hair loss includes a wide variety of strategies; among them are pharmaceuticals that influence hormones, blood flow, or cellular signals within hair follicles. TDM-105795 represents a new class of investigational compounds designed to interact with specific cellular receptors in the skin, potentially affecting how hair follicle stem cells behave and how the hair growth cycle progresses.

How Does TDM-105795 Work? Exploring Its Biological Mechanism

At its core, TDM-105795 is best understood as a thyromimetic compound. This means it works by mimicking the effects of thyroid hormones—natural chemical messengers in the body that influence metabolism, growth, and regeneration. Hair follicles are influenced by thyroid signaling, and research shows that thyroid hormone pathways play a role in the activation and regeneration of cells within hair follicles. When thyroid pathways are imbalanced, hair cycling can be disrupted, delaying the transition from the resting phase (telogen) to the growth phase (anagen), which is essential for healthy hair renewal.

Biologically, hair follicles go through a cycle: anagen (active growth), catagen (transitional phase), and telogen (resting phase). Many common hair loss conditions involve the shortening of anagen and prolongation of resting periods, leading to gradual thinning. Compounds that can push follicles out of resting phases and back into growth could, in theory, improve hair density over time. While TDM-105795’s exact molecular mechanisms have not yet been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, the clinical development protocols describe its intended action as stimulating dormant follicle cells and prompting the onset of anagen growth when applied topically.

What Research Has Been Done on TDM-105795?

The most substantive source of data for TDM-105795 comes from a Phase 2a clinical trial—a mid-stage study designed to measure safety and initial evidence of effectiveness in human subjects. This study was titled “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled, Parallel Group, Multi-Dose Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TDM-105795 in Male Subjects with Androgenetic Alopecia" Across thirteen clinical sites in the United States, this investigation enrolled 71 male participants aged between 18 and older, each diagnosed with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia. Participants applied the topical solution daily for 16 weeks.

Efficacy was assessed through non-vellus Target Area Hair Count (TAHC)—a measure of hair density in a defined scalp area that focuses on thicker, terminal hairs rather than thin vellus hairs. At the end of the treatment period, subjects using the high-strength TDM-105795 formulation (0.02%) showed an average increase of 24.3 hairs per square centimeter compared to baseline, while the low-strength formulation (0.0025%) showed an average increase of 20.3 hairs per square centimeter. The placebo group had a mean increase of 14 hairs per square centimeter. These results indicate a modest improvement over placebo, but the data have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The trial also reported that both available doses of the topical compound were well tolerated and produced “very low to no systemic exposure,” meaning that minimal amounts were absorbed into the bloodstream—a favorable finding for safety if topical use is continued.

In addition to human clinical trials, preclinical animal studies using mouse models (e.g., C3H mice) have shown dose-dependent increases in hair growth after topical administration of TDM-105795. In these experiments, researchers observed hair regrowth over several weeks and confirmed a greater effect with higher doses compared to control groups that received no active compound. These animal studies provide early evidence of biological activity but cannot fully predict outcomes in humans.

A Critical Look at the Evidence So Far

While the Phase 2a trial results are promising in terms of demonstrating some hair density gains above placebo, several important scientific limitations remain. First, the results have so far only been reported in press releases and industry news summaries, not in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Studies published in journals undergo independent review by other scientists, which strengthens confidence in their methodology and interpretation. The absence of such publication means the data cannot yet be independently confirmed.

Second, the magnitude of hair count increases observed in this trial is modest compared with established treatments like minoxidil. For instance, independent research has shown that treatments influencing related biological pathways—such as minoxidil, which can induce growth factors in hair follicles—have demonstrated more robust increases. In a study examining minoxidil’s effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein associated with increased blood vessel formation and nutrient support for follicles, researchers found that minoxidil can stimulate cellular mechanisms linked to hair growth in skin cells and mice.

Scientific reviewers of novel hair therapies generally caution that early trials with short durations (e.g., 16 weeks) may not capture long-term effectiveness or safety. Hair growth cycles can span many months, and changes might continue beyond the timeframe of initial studies. Whether TDM-105795 provides benefits that are maintained or amplified over longer use remains unknown. Additionally, the role of thyroid hormone pathways in hair biology is complex: while some thyroid-related compounds may stimulate hair follicle cells, others could have unclear systemic effects if absorbed. Current data show low absorption, but long-term human safety data are not publicly available.

Finally, while animal studies demonstrate certain dose responses in mice, mouse hair cycles are different from human hair cycles. Mice have synchronized hair growth across skin regions, whereas human hair follicles cycle independently. This difference limits how directly animal results can be translated into human expectations.

Why TDM-105795 Matters in Hair Loss Research

Despite the limitations, TDM-105795 represents an important step in the broader scientific effort to develop non-hormonal, biologically targeted therapies for hair loss. Many current treatments influence hormones such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or act through broad mechanisms like increasing scalp blood flow. TDM-105795’s approach—targeting thyroid-related pathways and potentially follicle stem cell activation—could contribute to a deeper understanding of how **hair cycles can be pharmacologically regulated. It may also lead to the development of improved molecules or combination therapies that complement existing options.

Ultimately, TDM-105795’s journey from clinical research phase to potential approved therapy will depend on ongoing and future studies, including longer treatment durations, larger participant populations, and independent publication of clinical data. Until then, it remains an emerging candidate rather than an established treatment option.

References

Technoderma Medicines, Inc. press release on Phase 2a trial results (2024). Technoderma Medicines phase 2 clinical trial of TDM-105795 demonstrates hair growth in androgenetic alopecia. PR Newswire. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/technoderma-medicines-phase-2-clinical-trial-of-tdm-105795-demonstrates-hair-growth-in-androgenetic-alopecia-302052631.html

Technoderma Medicines Phase 2 clinical trial summary (2024). Clinical Trials Registry: NCT05802173. https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT05802173

Recent advances in drug development for hair loss (2023). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/8/3461

Minoxidil’s molecular mechanism related to hair growth (2018). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29295567/

Preclinical animal test patent results suggesting dose-dependent hair growth with TDM-105795 (Year unspecified). Google Patents – US20170158651A1. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170158651A1/en

Additional preclinical patent evidence on hair cycle effects (Year unspecified). Google Patents – EP3181556A1. https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3181556A1/en