Indian doctors get US patent for hair regrowth

Indian plastic surgeon, Dr Debraj Shome and Cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Rinky Kapoor, have just been awarded a US patent for a molecule - QR 678 - that treats hair loss in patients, injected intradermally into an affected area of the scalp of the patient. The molecule stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth.

While the treatment is aimed at patients with androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, female pattern baldness, and secondary alopecia, Dr Shome has treated at least 100 chemotherapy patients who go through hair loss during and after the cancer treatment process. This treatment addresses the psycho-somatic aspect for cancer survivors.

According to Dr Debraj Shome, “Cosmetic applications for treating hair loss are restrictive as they do not help regenerate hair. QR678 not only contains hair loss but stimulates growth of new hair. Once we get the approval for commercial production, we will offer this treatment through trained cosmetologists in metros. The biggest beneficiaries of this treatment will be chemotherapy patients as this will address the hair loss issues.

This will be our biggest service to the cancer survivor community and elevate their self-esteem.” The molecule will now get into commercial production with the application for DGCA approval underway. Since 2010, Dr Shome and Dr. Kapoor have carried out this procedure on 10,000 patients including 100 chemotherapy patients. They have submitted a clinical paper for publishing in an international medical journal.

Dr. Debraj Shome is currently a consulting plastic surgeon with Breach Candy Hospital, SL Raheja Fortis Hospital and Director of Esthetic Clinics. Shome specialises in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, facial and ocular oncology (cancers), oculoplastic, eyelid and orbital surgery.

He is currently the Head of Facial Plastic Surgery, Nova Specialty Surgery, Mumbai, India. In the past, he has contributed in the role of Head of Institute, for Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. He was earlier associated with Department of Facial Plastic Surgery at Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, Mumbai and at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Shome completed his undergraduate medical education from Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals,Mumbai. Post this, he did his specialization in ophthalmology and completed his residency from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai.

He obtained the degrees of Fellow of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2003 and also his Diplomate of National Board (DNB) in 2004. Over the years, he has specialised in facial plastic and aesthetic surgery. He has also completed his MBA in Healthcare Management from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Dr. Rinky Kapoor was a Fellow at National Skin Centre (Singapore and Stanford University, USA. She is the Head of the Department of Cosmetic Dermatology and Skin Laser Treatment at the S L Raheja Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai and co-founder of The Esthetic Clinics.