A familiar hair-loss treatment may be entering a new phase. A slow-release version of minoxidil, called VDPHL01, has delivered promising late-stage results in men with pattern hair loss.
Unlike the well-known topical foam or liquid, this formulation is designed as an oral tablet made specifically for hair loss. The idea is simple but significant: keep the drug working steadily over time instead of producing sharp spikes in the bloodstream.
What the Trial Showed
In a 519-participant study involving men aged 18 to 65 with mild-to-moderate male pattern hair loss, VDPHL01 was tested in two daily doses against placebo. After six months, the tablet produced a clear increase in thicker, visible hairs.
Men taking the drug once daily gained 30.3 non-vellus hairs per square centimeter, while the twice-daily group reached 33.0. By comparison, the placebo group gained 7.3. The company also said 79% of men in the once-daily group and 86% in the twice-daily group noticed some improvement in hair coverage.
According to the company, the treatment separated from placebo by the second month. Reported side effects were similar to placebo, and no treatment-related serious adverse events were observed in the six-month readout.
Why It Matters
Minoxidil has a long history in medicine. It first appeared as a blood-pressure drug before its hair-growth effect became widely recognized. Today, most users know it as a scalp treatment, but oral use has remained limited because of dosing concerns and potential cardiovascular effects.
VDPHL01 aims to address that gap with a gel-matrix tablet that releases the drug more gradually. If future studies confirm the early findings, the approach could offer a more convenient and predictable option for people seeking hair restoration support.
The next step is another fully enrolled study, with further results expected in 2026. If the data continue to hold, this formulation could help reshape how oral hair-loss treatment is developed and delivered in the years ahead.
