A viral post claims that scientists are close to curing baldness and reversing gray hair with a new injectable drug called ABS-201, made by the biotech company Absci. The post presents this as a major scientific breakthrough that can wake up inactive hair follicles and restart hair growth from the roots. However, our investigation shows that there is currently no scientific proof that ABS-201 can permanently cure baldness or reverse gray hair in humans.
Social Media Posts
The claim has circulated widely across platforms with the headline “A new injection could permanently cure baldness.” We found similar claims shared on social media.
Fact Check
Drug and Mechanism
ABS-201 is an experimental antibody drug created by Absci, a U.S. biotech company. It was designed using artificial intelligence to target a specific protein called the prolactin receptor (PRLR), which has not been linked to hair growth before. The drug’s mechanism is to “wake up” dormant hair follicles and move them from a resting state into an active growth phase. This is a different biological pathway from existing hair-loss treatments such as minoxidil or finasteride, which work by altering hormone or blood-flow activity.
Animal Study Results
Preclinical trials in animals have shown promising but preliminary outcomes. In mouse models, ABS-201 stimulated full hair regrowth within 22 days, whereas mice treated with 5% topical minoxidil showed only about one-third regrowth over the same period. Studies on macaques, primates that naturally experience age-related hair thinning, also reported rapid regrowth of thick, dark hair, and in some cases, gray hairs turning black. These findings suggest a possible pigment-restoration effect, but all data currently come from company materials rather than peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Human Clinical Trials
ABS-201 has not yet been tested in humans. The drug is scheduled to begin Phase 1/2a clinical trials in Australia in December 2025. These early-stage studies will assess safety and collect initial data on efficacy. As such, claims that ABS-201 can “end baldness” or “reverse gray hair” are premature. The first human trial results are expected no earlier than late 2026, and until those peer-reviewed findings are available, any suggestion of a permanent cure remains speculative.
Mechanism and Drug Profile
According to Absci, the drug is engineered for high receptor affinity, low immune response, and an extended half-life, characteristics that could allow injections every 8–12 weeks if proven effective. Preliminary non-human primate data indicate over 90 percent subcutaneous bioavailability. The company describes ABS-201 as the first antibody to target the prolactin receptor in order to shift follicles from the regression (catagen) to the growth (anagen) phase. However, these results have not been independently verified, and no external studies have confirmed long-term safety or efficacy.
Limitations
All current data for ABS-201 come from Absci’s own case studies, investor presentations, and press releases. As of November 2025, there are no peer-reviewed publications or independent replications of the results. Methodological details such as sample size, dosing, and statistical analysis remain undisclosed. Experts caution that many drugs showing strong effects in animals ultimately fail in humans due to biological differences and unforeseen immune responses. Therefore, public claims describing ABS-201 as a “cure” are premature and not supported by any peer-reviewed evidence.
Summary of Findings
In summary, ABS-201 represents a scientifically intriguing development but remains far from a verified human treatment. Early animal studies show that it can stimulate hair growth and potentially restore pigmentation, yet there is no evidence of permanent or reproducible results in humans. Its AI-based design and long-acting injectable format are innovative, but until Phase 1/2a human data are peer-reviewed and published, ABS-201 should be regarded strictly as an early-stage experimental drug, not a proven cure.
Conclusion
While ABS-201 represents an innovative approach to hair loss treatment using AI-designed antibody therapy, the viral claims that scientists can now “end baldness” are premature and missing context. The drug has only been tested in mice and macaques, with human trials not scheduled to begin until December 2025 in Australia. All current data come from company press releases rather than peer-reviewed scientific publications, and there is no evidence yet that the treatment provides permanent results or can safely reverse gray hair in humans.
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Title:Scientists Are Not Yet Able to “End Baldness” with an Injectable Drug
Fact Check By: Cielito WangResult: Missing Context
