Mallia to Showcase Innovative sCD83-Based Approach for Hair Growth at HairS‘25 Symposium

Mallia to Showcase Innovative sCD83-Based Approach for Hair Growth at HairS‘25 Symposium

• Mallia Aesthetics joins the 24th International Hair Science Symposium (HairS’25) as Gold Sponsor, strengthening its presence at the intersection of scientific research and cosmetic innovation
• Prof. Alexander Steinkasserer will present scientific results supporting sCD83 as a novel approach for stimulating hair growth and increasing hair thickness

Erlangen, Germany, June 24, 2025 – Mallia Aesthetics GmbH, a company focusing on the development and commercialization of cosmetic products to stimulate hair growth, today announced that Prof. Alexander Steinkasserer, Co-founder of Mallia, will give a presentation on  the potential of sCD83 in addressing hair growth at HairS’25. The conference will take place from June 25‑27, 2025, in Augsburg, Germany. Hosted by the German Society for Scientific and Applied Cosmetics, DGK e. V., HairS’25 brings together a unique interdisciplinary mix of experts in academic innovation and groundbreaking formulations in the hair-care industry with a strong focus on basic science.

The scientific presentation, titled “Soluble CD83 as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for the Treatment of Alopecia” will be held on Thursday, June 26, at 1:15 pm CET. Prof. Steinkasserer will present his team’s research on sCD83’s multimodal mechanism of action, which includes inducing an anti-inflammatory environment at the hair follicle, inhibiting cell death, and directly stimulating follicular stem cells. These combined effects promote new hair growth and increased hair thickness. sCD83 was originally identified almost 25 years ago by Prof. Alexander Steinkasserer and his team as an immune modulating molecule.^[1] It has since shown broad therapeutic potential, including in skin care, wound healing and in promoting hair growth.^[2] The molecule has been recently granted a European patent covering both cosmetic and therapeutic applications.

Mallia Aesthetics is proud to support the event as a Gold Sponsor and will also showcase its cosmetic development approach in the exhibition area. The Company is developing a number of cosmetic products for the stimulation of hair growth that take advantage of the mechanism of action of sCD83. The first commercial product is scheduled to launch before the end of 2025.

Prof. Dr. Steinkasserer, Co-founder and Managing Director of Mallia, said: “Presenting at HairS’25 and participating as a Gold Sponsor gives us an unparalleled opportunity to highlight our cutting-edge scientific approach to a highly targeted audience. We have seen highly promising preclinical results for hair growth and hair thickness, and together with my team, we have deciphered the underlying molecular pathways and multimodal function of sCD83. I look forward to presenting our broad and compelling dataset to this expert community.”

About sCD83

Soluble CD83 (sCD83) is an immunomodulatory protein that is currently being developed for the topical treatment of hair loss (MAL‑856) and stimulation of hair growth (MAL‑838). The soluble CD83 protein was first identified in 2001 by Mallia co-founder Prof. Steinkasserer. It has anti-inflammatory properties via the induction of resolution of inflammation, which promotes wound healing and induces new hair growth.² In addition, sCD83 has been shown to activate regulatory T cells (Tregs)^[3], which interact directly with hair follicles and can activate them.^[4] Furthermore, sCD83 inhibits cell death of hair follicles and directly activates follicular stem cells, thereby stimulating new hair growth. This multimodal mode of action distinguishes sCD83 from other topically applied hair growth agents.

Topically applied, sCD83 can directly reach the hair follicles but does not penetrate through the skin and thus does not enter the bloodstream. The effect is localized, which is a major advantage over systemic treatment options, which can cause severe side effects.

About hair loss

Hormone-related hair loss in men and women (androgenetic alopecia, or AGA) is the most common form of hair loss. Worldwide, more than 70% of men and 50% of women post menopause are affected by androgenetic alopecia. Another 147 million people suffer from immune-related, circular hair loss (alopecia areata, or AA^[5],[6]).

Androgenetic alopecia usually progresses gradually and is due to genetic and hormonal factors. In men, it often leads to a receding hairline and baldness on the top of the head, while in women it causes thinning hair in the parting area. Alopecia areata causes circular hair loss on the scalp, face or other parts of the body. It occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks hair follicles, leading to immune-mediated hair loss.

About Mallia

Mallia Innovations GmbH, based in Erlangen, Germany, is the holding company strategically driving the proprietary development and commercialization of biopharmaceutical therapies and cosmetic applications of the immune modulatory sCD83 protein, targeting hair growth, hair loss and other dermatological indications, including wound healing.

Mallia Therapeutics GmbH focuses on the clinical development of novel therapies for patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata, among other conditions.  MAL-856 is based on the scientifically proven immune modulatory mode of action of sCD83, which has been investigated for close to 25 years by Mallia Co‑founder Prof. Dr Alexander Steinkasserer.¹

Mallia Aesthetics GmbH focuses on cosmetic applications for the stimulation of hair growth, which are also based on the scientifically validated sCD83 protein. The Company develops Innovative cosmetic products using MAL-838 that will be marketed to specialists and consumers.

For more information, visit www.mallia.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

^[1] Lechmann, M., Krooshoop, D. J., Dudziak, D., Kremmer, E., Kuhnt, C., Figdor, C. G., ... & Steinkasserer, A. (2001). The extracellular domain of CD83 inhibits dendritic cell–mediated T cell stimulation and binds to a ligand on dendritic cells. The Journal of experimental medicine, 194(12), 1813-1821. DOI: 10.1084/jem.194.12.1813

^[2] Royzman, D., Peckert-Maier, K., Stich, L., König, C., Wild, A. B., Tauchi, M., ... & Steinkasserer, A. (2022). Soluble CD83 improves and accelerates wound healing by the induction of pro-resolving macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 1012647. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1012647

^[3] Bock, F., Rössner, S., Onderka, J., Lechmann, M., Pallotta, M. T., Fallarino, F., ... & Zinser, E. (2013). Topical application of soluble CD83 induces IDO-mediated immune modulation, increases Foxp3+ T cells, and prolongs allogeneic corneal graft survival. The Journal of Immunology, 191(4), 1965-1975. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201531

^[4] Ali, N., Zirak, B., Rodriguez, R. S., Pauli, M. L., Truong, H. A., Lai, K., ... & Rosenblum, M. D. (2017). Regulatory T cells in skin facilitate epithelial stem cell differentiation. Cell, 169(6), 1119-1129. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.002

^[5] Feinstein, R. P. (2022). Androgenetic alopecia.: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070167-overview

^[6] Mostaghimi, A., Gandhi, K., Done, N., Ray, M., Gao, W., Carley, C., ... & Sikirica, V. (2022). All-cause health care resource utilization and costs among adults with alopecia areata: A retrospective claims database study in the United States. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 28(4), 426-434: DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.4.426