25 June 2020 - - While studying the genetics of the androgen receptor in male pattern baldness, a team of scientists discovered a possible breakthrough treatment for COVID-19, US-based biotechnology company said.

The team, led by Andy Goren, MD, Medical Advisor to the Department of Dermatology of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Carlos G. Wambier, MD, PhD, director of Cosmetic Research at the Department of Dermatology of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and John McCoy, PhD, vice president of R and D at Applied Biology, along with other collaborators, have published their discovery in the medical journal Dermatologic Therapy.

The manuscript, "What Does Androgenetic Alopecia have to do with COVID-19? An Insight into a Potential New Therapy" (doi: 10.1111/dth.13365), elucidates the possible role of androgens in controlling the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung cells.

Founded in 2002, Applied Biology, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, is a biotechnology company specialising in hair and skin science.

The company develops drugs and medical devices for the treatment of androgen mediated dermatological conditions.

Applied Biology's R and D pipeline includes a topically applied prophylactic treatment for chemotherapy induced alopecia; a novel diagnostic device that can aid dermatologists in identifying non-responders to topical minoxidil; an adjuvant therapy for non-responders to topical minoxidil; and a novel therapy for female pattern hair loss.