Faster results, patient skepticism of current therapies stand out for androgenetic alopecia oral therapy | AAD 2026

Treatment speed and patient perception are emerging as key factors in managing pattern hair loss, especially as many patients stop therapy early or delay seeking prescription options, according to Reid Waldman, M.D., CEO of Veradermics.

Waldman shared early insights with Managed Healthcare Executive (MHE) ahead of his presentation today at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting 2026 in Denver, where he presented findings on VDPHL01, an investigational extended-release oral minoxidil tablet in development for androgenetic alopecia.

The company’s research includes both clinical trial data and analyses of patient experiences collected through large-scale online conversations.

One key takeaway of the clinical data is how quickly patients may begin to see results. According to Waldman, speed plays a critical role in whether patients stay on treatment and ultimately benefit from it.

“The ability to show someone quickly in their journey, as early as two months, that they have significant hair growth has the ability to give someone confidence in the treatment, improve adherence and then hopefully improve outcomes over time,” Waldman said.

This finding is important as many patients discontinue existing treatments such as topical minoxidil within the first few months, often due to frustration with slow or limited results, Waldman added. Faster, visible improvement could help address this challenge by increasing patient confidence and encouraging continued use.

In addition to clinical outcomes, Veradermics examined patients’ feelings and thoughts about their hair loss through social listening in online discussions. These findings highlight a gap between available therapies and patient perceptions.

Waldman said one of the most notable insights he found from these conversations is that many patients view prescription treatments as a last resort rather than an early option. This perception could delay access to more effective therapies and contribute to dissatisfaction with over-the-counter products that often deliver inconsistent results.

VDPHL01 is designed to address both clinical and behavioral barriers. Its extended-release formulation aims to provide steady drug delivery while avoiding high peak concentrations linked to immediate-release oral minoxidil. If approved, it could become the first FDA-approved oral non-hormonal treatment for pattern hair loss in both men and women.

This data being presented suggests that faster results and improved patient perception could be key factors in advancing treatment adoption and outcomes in this large and underserved population.