Pyrilutamide
An experimental topical drug that blocks the androgen receptor in the scalp, developed as an alternative to oral finasteride. It is not approved.
Pyrilutamide Biological Classification
Investigated within physiological and chemical models.
What kind of compound
Small molecule
Investigational topical nonsteroidal androgen-receptor antagonist.
Human testing on file
2human records
0 animal · 2 total indexed. Phase 3 trials registered or reported.
Regulatory position
Investigational. No approved product in the United States or elsewhere as of this review.
Studied for
Topical androgen-receptor blockade
Reviewed 13 November 2026
Known safety concerns in this file
- Topical androgen-receptor blockade may still produce systemic effects; the trials are designed to measure this.
- Phase 3 safety data are not available here as a peer-reviewed report.
- Long-term safety is unknown.
Commonly compared with
- Finasteride — Approved oral 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
- Dutasteride — Off-label oral dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
- PP405 — Different investigational mechanism.
What is Pyrilutamide?
An experimental topical drug that blocks the androgen receptor in the scalp, developed as an alternative to oral finasteride. It is not approved. An investigational topical androgen-receptor antagonist developed by Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceutical for androgenetic alopecia. Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials are registered in men and women; no regulator has approved it as a drug product.
Why are people interested in it?
It targets the same androgen pathway as finasteride but locally, aiming to reduce systemic hormonal exposure — a hypothesis that still needs controlled evidence.
Primary Research Categories
- Hair-follicle research
- Investigational drug substances
How does it work in the body?
A nonsteroidal androgen-receptor antagonist applied to the scalp, intended to reduce androgen signalling in follicle cells. The clinical advantage over existing treatments is not established.
Biological Pathway Overview
Pyrilutamide Receptor & Target Interactions
This compound is evaluated in scientific research for its interactions with target cellular receptors and signaling cascades. Consult the evidence section below for specific peer-reviewed papers.
Androgen receptor
Named in the published mechanism discussion for this compound.
DHT signalling
Named in the published mechanism discussion for this compound.
Follicular miniaturisation
Named in the published mechanism discussion for this compound.
Key Distinction: An investigational or unapproved compound has no approved indication, and a proposed mechanism is not a demonstrated clinical effect.
What has actually been demonstrated in humans?
Phase 2 trials in men and women and a Phase 3 trial in Chinese men are registered; the Phase 2 studies are listed as completed. No approved product.
Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals
Investigational. No approved product in the United States or elsewhere as of this review. Peer-reviewed Phase 3 efficacy and safety results.
What is still uncertain or unknown?
Peer-reviewed Phase 3 efficacy and safety results. Whether topical delivery avoids meaningful systemic androgen blockade. Durability and any regulatory decision.
Research at a Glance
Open the full evidence file (2 records)2 records in this file
- CLINICAL TRIAL2
Publication span: 2022–2024
What Has Actually Been Studied
- Phase III study of KX-826 in Chinese adult male patients with androgenetic alopecia (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2024) — Phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (registry record).
- Phase 2 study of KX-826 in male subjects with androgenetic alopecia (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2022) — Phase 2 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (registry record).
What is Still Unknown
What we know
Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built
What remains uncertain
Preparation and Handling
Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.
United States Regulatory Status
Investigational
- No approved United States product in Drugs@FDA as of this review.
- Phase 2 trial NCT05218642 randomised 123 men in the United States and is registered as completed.
- Phase 3 trial NCT06126965 in Chinese adult men is registered with an actual enrolment of 740 participants.
- Phase 2 trial NCT06409650 in Chinese adult women randomised 160 participants and is registered as completed.
- Registry completion is not a published result and not an approval. Therapept has not indexed a peer-reviewed primary publication of the Phase 3 results.
Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
- Molecular weight
- Unknown
- Sequence length
- Not recorded
- CAS number
- Unknown
- PubChem CID
- None assigned
- Compound class
- Investigational topical nonsteroidal androgen-receptor antagonist
- Sequence
- Unknown / Unassigned
- Molecular formula
- Unknown
- Molecular weight
- Unknown
- CAS number
- Unknown
- PubChem CID
- Unknown
Sources
Last reviewed 13 November 2026 · Compiled by Therapept Editorial · How these records are built