Extended-Release Oral Minoxidil Shows Promise for Treating Hair Loss
New oral minoxidil pill shows early promise for male pattern hair loss
If you’re worried about thinning hair, there’s new research to watch. A company called Veradermics recently shared early results from a clinical trial of an experimental once-daily extended-release oral minoxidil tablet for male pattern hair loss (also called androgenetic alopecia). Doctors and the company say the findings are encouraging, but more testing and regulatory review are still needed.
Quick summary
Veradermics reported positive topline results from Part A of a phase 2/3 study called Study 302. The trial looked at an investigational tablet named VDPHL01 in 519 adult men with mild to moderate pattern hair loss. In the trial, men taking the daily or twice-daily extended-release pill had bigger increases in thicker hair counts and higher self-reported improvement than people on placebo. (Source: Veradermics press release, Study 302 Part A)
Why an oral minoxidil pill instead of the usual treatments?
Minoxidil is a medicine many people use to treat hair loss. It’s most often applied to the scalp as a liquid or foam. Oral minoxidil also exists, but the versions commonly used were actually developed to treat high blood pressure, not hair loss.
Those older oral forms are immediate-release, which means the medicine enters the bloodstream quickly and leaves quickly. Because it clears fast, higher doses can cause more side effects such as heart palpitations, changes in blood pressure, fluid retention (swelling), and ECG changes. That makes it hard to raise the dose enough to get better hair results without risking those problems. (Source: Veradermics press release; comments by Maryanne Makredes Senna, MD)
The new pill is an extended-release formulation. That means it’s designed to release the drug more slowly so the scalp (and hair follicles) see the medicine for a longer time while overall blood levels stay lower. The idea is to increase the drug’s effect on hair while lowering the chance of heart-related side effects. (Source: Veradermics press release; comments by company leaders and a dermatologist)
What the study looked at and what it found
Study 302 Part A was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 trial — in other words, a study design that compares the treatment to an inactive pill and keeps participants and researchers unaware of who has which pill. It included 519 adult men with mild to moderate male pattern hair loss. (Source: Veradermics press release)
Key results reported by the company:
- Average increases in non-vellus total area hair counts (that means the thicker, non-fine hairs) were about 30.3 hairs/cm² for the once-daily group and 33.0 hairs/cm² for the twice-daily group. The placebo group increased by 7.3 hairs/cm². The company reported these differences as statistically significant (p < 0.0001). (Source: Veradermics press release)
- On a patient-reported improvement scale (called AAIRS in the study), 79.3% of once-daily patients and 86.0% of twice-daily patients reported any hair improvement, compared with 35.6% in the placebo group. Larger improvements (“improved” or “much improved”) were reported by 48.4% of once-daily and 62.9% of twice-daily patients, versus 13.4% for placebo. (Source: Veradermics press release)
The company and participating specialists noted the numbers look meaningful when compared with current options, but the study was not set up as a direct comparison to topical minoxidil or oral finasteride. That means we can’t say yet whether the new pill works better than existing medicines. (Source: Veradermics press release; comments at the AAD meeting)
What this might mean for people with pattern hair loss
If future studies and regulators support the results, an FDA-approved extended-release oral minoxidil could become another treatment option for men with pattern hair loss. It might be used alone or alongside other treatments to improve results. But approval, recommended dosing, and more complete safety information will depend on further trial data and regulatory review. (Source: Veradermics press release; comments by study dermatologists)
Safety and questions still to be answered
Because the older oral minoxidil products were made for blood pressure, higher doses can cause cardiovascular side effects (palpitations, blood pressure changes, swelling, and changes on heart electrical tests). The extended-release approach is intended to reduce those risks by keeping blood levels lower while increasing time at the hair follicle, but full safety details were not included in the topline announcement. Final dosing and safety conclusions will come from later trial data and regulators. (Source: Veradermics press release; comments by Maryanne Makredes Senna, MD)
When to talk with a doctor
If you’re thinking about treatment for thinning hair, talk with a dermatologist or your primary care provider. They can explain current, approved options and whether a clinical trial might be a fit for you. If you notice fast hair loss, bleeding, sudden scalp pain, signs of infection, or other worrying symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.
Please note that the study results shared here come from a company announcement and early-phase data. These are not final recommendations, and treatment decisions should always be made with a healthcare professional.
Disclosure: Maryanne Makredes Senna, MD, who commented on the study, is a paid scientific advisory board member for VDPHL01. The study results and quotes described above are based on Veradermics’ press releases and presentations. (Source: Veradermics press releases)
Sources
- Veradermics’ oral VDPHL01 achieved early, consistent, and robust hair growth in positive phase 2/3 ‘302’ clinical trial in male pattern hair loss. Veradermics press release. Accessed May 14, 2026. https://ir.veradermics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/veradermics-oral-vdphl01-achieved-early-consistent-and-robust
- Veradermics announces presentations on VDPHL01 and patient experiences with pattern hair loss at 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Veradermics press release. Accessed May 14, 2026. https://ir.veradermics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/veradermics-announces-presentations-vdphl01-and-patient