ABS-201

Absci has applied our Integrated Drug Creation™platform to design a differentiated antibody for the treatment of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA)

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Absci has applied our Integrated Drug Creation™platform to design a differentiated antibody for the treatment of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA)

Overview

Potential best-in-class antibody targeting the prolactin receptor for the treatment of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA)

High affinity and potency
Excellent developability profile
Anticipated low immunogenicity
Extended half-life and expected longer dosing intervals for patient convenience

Currently in IND-enabling studies with expected IND/CTA submission in H1 2026

Leveraging Integrated Drug Creation platform to deliver promising candidates in just over 1 year

Unmet Clinical Need

AGA is an indication with a significant clinical unmet need and a potential patient population of approximately 80 million individuals in the United States alone.

AGA is a genetically predetermined disorder due to an excessive response to androgens and can affect up to 50 percent of males and females. It is characterized by progressive loss of terminal hair of the scalp any time after puberty, and follows a characteristic distribution in both males and females. Hair loss is most prominent in the vertex and frontotemporal regions in males. In women, the frontal hairline is typically spared with diffuse hair loss at the crown and top of the head, with loss often marked by a wider center part.

Current FDA-approved treatments for AGA are limited due to variable efficacy, lack of patient compliance, potential sexual and neurological side effects. Additionally, incremental limitations exist for women of reproductive age.

Targeting PRLR

ABS-201 targets PRLR and in preclinical studies has shown high affinity and potency, favorable safety and immunogenicity, extended half-life for convenient infrequent dosing, favorable developability and manufacturability attributes, and early efficacy data in a short-term hair growth model compared to minoxidil.

The mechanism of action of ABS-201 relies on the shift of hair follicles from the regression or catagen phase to the growth or anagen phase when PRLR is inhibited, which potentially may cause durable hair re-growth, not just a slowing of hair loss.

Preclinical profile

The efficacy of ABS-201 was evaluated in a preclinical study for short term hair growth in mice. Mice were shaved until the skin was visible, then randomized into treatment groups based on skin color and initial body weight. Hair growth scores were recorded twice weekly using a predefined scale, and ABS-201 was compared to 5% topical minoxidil. ABS-201 increased hair regrowth compared to minoxidil in a short-term hair regrowth model, achieving full hair growth after 22 days, whereas minoxidil only achieved approximately one-third hair growth in the same period.