The most recent data on KX-826
KX-826, also known as pyrilutamide is, a new topical androgen receptor antagonist being developed for androgenic alopecia by Kintor Pharmaceuticals in China. In March 2026, they released new data claiming the product is exceeding expectations for treating hair loss and during the testing they state there were no side effects reported. It distinguishes itself from other approved treatments because it’s a local androgen blockade right at the scalp rather than providing systemic DHT suppression through a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor like finasteride or dutasteride.
Pyrilutamide is not FDA approved nor has the clinical data been verified and more testing is needed before it can be made available for sale. (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2026; Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2026)
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KX-826 in 30 seconds
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What is KX-826?
Pyrilutamide / KX-826 is an androgen receptor antagonist that competes with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for receptor binding at the androgen receptor, with the goal of blocking androgen-mediated signaling locally at the hair follicle. The company who have created this molecule claims the drug is likely to be safer than DHT blocking drugs for two reasons: First, it is not a DHT blocker so does not intend to reduce DHT levels, only DHT binding. Second, when KX-826 reaches the circulatory system, it is rapidly metabolized to inactive metabolites . Finasteride and dutasteride work by lowering DHT production through 5-alpha-reductase inhibition. Kintor claims that pyrilutamide is a downstream receptor-level blocker used topically, so is applied directly to the scalp.
Unlike with finasteride and dutasteride, with pyrilutamide, the DHT is still created by your body but is blocked from reaching the follicle. This does not mean it is in any way better or worse, it’s just a different approach. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2024)
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Why DHT matters in androgenic alopecia
Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss, and the cause is often suspected to be a reaction to DHT. Dihydrotestosterone shortens the anagen phase and lengthens the telogen phase of hair growth and causes the hair follicle to slowly produce weaker hair until it doesn’t produce any more hair at all. That is why the most consistently effective medications for AGA reduce DHT and when combined with something like minoxidil, which can improve the quality of the hair produced in the follicle, hair loss can be optimally treated. The key is to start as early as possible, so waiting on new drugs that are still in their trial phase can result in more significant or even almost complete loss of the hair, and once dormant the follicle can usually not be revived. (American Academy of Dermatology Association, n.d.)
What the clinical data actually shows
In Kintor’s March 2026 annual-results disclosure, the company reported topline data from a 666-patient phase III stage of its China pivotal pyrilutamide trial. Compared with a placebo, the 1.0% twice-daily topical application of pyrilutamide showed a 10.65 hairs/cm² improvement in target area hair count, and the 0.5% twice-daily usage showed a 9.78 hairs/cm² placebo-adjusted improvement, with both reported as statistically significant at P<0.0001. From baseline, the 1.0% solution improved by 15.33 hairs/cm², the 0.5% arm by 14.46 hairs/cm², and placebo improved by 4.68 hairs/cm². Kintor also reported no drug-related serious side effects and no clinically significant rate of side effects versus the placebo arm in that phase III trial. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2026)
What those numbers boil down to is they claim significant improvement in the volume of hair after taking the medication and no serious side effects. The clinical trial data lacks peer review as well as longer term efficacy and safety data , but if Pyrilutamide works as well as Kintor claimed, it could be an exciting new product.
Pyrilutamide is often discussed online because Kintor’s earlier May 2023 U.S. phase II announcement showed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 123 men with androgenic alopecia was working and preventing hair loss. The company reported that the 0.5% twice-daily group improved target-area hair counts by about 10 hairs/cm² from baseline at 24 weeks, with improvement versus placebo and a dose-response relationship, plus mostly mild local scalp sensitivity and no treatment-emergent side effects leading to withdrawal or death. But that announcement was still just based on Kintor’s own data and was not evaluated by any third party (meaning no peer review), so it’s the same situation we have today where we can’t confirm any of the data yet. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2023)
Kintor also reported a positive China phase II trial in 160 women, where the 0.5% once-daily group showed an 11.39 hairs/cm² placebo-adjusted improvement at week 24 and a favorable safety profile. Again, that is encouraging, especially because there are fewer treatment options for female pattern hair loss, but it remains company-reported evidence rather than a peer-reviewed clinical study. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2022)
The long-term safety study is also still unknown. In its 2025 reporting, later summarized again in the 2026 annual-results document, Kintor described a 52-week multicenter open-label trial across 16 clinical research centers in China. The company reported a low risk of overall side effects, no drug-related sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction during the study period, and positive signals it worked to prevent hair loss. At 52 weeks, it reported that 46% of patients achieved at least a 10 hairs/cm² increase from baseline, 20% achieved at least 20 hairs/cm², and investigator-assessed Hair Growth Assessment response rates were 53% in men and 48.4% in women. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2025; Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2026; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, 2026)
Is KX-826 FDA approved?
No. KX-826 is not approved by any regulatory authority such as the FDA, for hair loss. ClinicalTrials.gov still lists KX-826 studies as in clinical trial phase, including a phase III study in adult male patients with androgenic alopecia and other studies evaluating efficacy, safety, or pharmacokinetics. This is a very important distinction because the FDA needs to verify the results Kintor has claimed and if it finds any problems with the medication, then it will not be approved and made available outside of clinical studies. (ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d.; Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2026)
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Can you buy pyrilutamide online?
You will find KX-826 or pyrilutamide online quickly if you look for it. It’s even on Amazon. But just because something says it’s available online doesn’t mean it's the real product. Unless you access it by being part of a clinical trial, then anything you find will likely be highly questionable and at best will do nothing, and at worst it could be harmful to your hair and/or scalp. You need to be very careful in purchasing products online when they are not either approved by regulatory agencies or prescribed as a compounded alternative by your treating physician. No doctor would prescribe this experimental medicine at this point in time. (ClinicalTrials.gov, n.d.)
Actual Amazon review of a product claiming to be pyrilutamide.
What are the side effects of KX-826 so far?
In the phase II trial, Kintor said the only side effect anyone had was mild scalp sensitivity, but again this is -not a peer reviewed study. In its recent 52 week long phase III trial , Kintor claimed that there were no side effects at all, including any erectile dysfunction. For a topical anti-androgen that could be a significant difference if it's true. The main concern with existing therapies is the risk of sexual side effects which while low, is still quite scary for many men and they either accept their hair loss or look for the medication with the lowest risk. Once the medication can be studied by independent clinicians, we’ll know if this really is a DHT binding blocker with no side effects, but for now we only have the manufacturer’s claims to go by, so take this all with a grain of salt. (Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, 2026; Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2023)
KX-826 vs finasteride
KX-826 and finasteride are both intended to stop DHT from starving out the hair follicles, but how they do it differs. KX-826 claims to stop the DHT from binding to, or reaching the hair follicle, while finasteride reduces the DHT from being produced. KX-826 could be an interesting option if the data that has been presented is determined to be accurate, but because it’s not been reviewed and/or validated, finasteride is still the clear front-runner for treating hair loss. Finasteride has FDA approval for male pattern hair loss, and many years of randomized clinical trial data showing clinical improvement in men with androgenic alopecia and the long-term safety is well understood. (American Academy of Dermatology Association, n.d.; Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2024)
KX-826 vs minoxidil
Minoxidil is a different medication category entirely. It doesn’t affect DHT production or block it from binding to the androgen receptor on the hair follicles. A 5% topical minoxidil solution has been proven to improve hair growth by stimulating the follicles with improved blood flow to them. It’s been around for decades, has FDA approval, and the side effect profile is minimal. Many people use a DHT blocker in combination with minoxidil so this isn’t an either or comparison. What we could see is KX-826 used in combination with minoxidil and Kintor has already stated that the phase Ib/III of its testing will include this combined therapy. (Olsen et al., 2002; Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, 2026)
What about dutasteride?
Dutasteride is a potent DHT suppressor, and for some people it’s been much more effective than finasteride. The reason dutasteride matters when discussing pyrilutamide is that any new antiandrogen is not just competing against finasteride and minoxidil; it is competing against a whole treatment ladder that already includes stronger off-label hormonal options such as dutasteride. (Gubelin Harcha et al., 2014)
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Should you wait for KX-826?
If you are experiencing hair loss and you want to keep your hair, then starting a treatment right away is the best next step. If you wait for KX-826 and it does eventually become available, you won’t benefit anyway if your hair is gone. The best advice is to consult with a doctor now and get an available treatment that works for you and if you want KX-826 someday you can always switch to it then if/when it becomes available. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2026; American Academy of Dermatology Association, n.d.)
Questions to ask a dermatologist about KX-826
Talking to a doctor before taking any medication is essential. You’ll get the best answer even if the answer is “there’s no way to answer that yet”. If a doctor can’t provide the answer based on the available information, then there isn’t an answer yet. If you do speak with a doctor about it, you can ask them questions like
- What do you know about receptor-level topical antiandrogens versus systemic DHT suppression?
- Would finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil, or topical finasteride or dutasteride make more sense for me today?
- Is there any way I could get prescribed pyrilutamide other than in a clinical trial?
Because the medication is in what is called an investigative stage you can certainly ask your doctor about it when discussing treatments, but make sure you listen carefully when they explain why you can’t get it now and what you can get that might work for your hair loss. (American Academy of Dermatology Association, n.d.)
Why KX-826 Matters More Now
The 2026 phase III topline data materially improved the case for pyrilutamide as a real contender for helping with hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia, and reports on the risk of side effects have been encouraging so far. The information provided by Kintor is promising and if peer reviewed clinical trials provide the same results, then we’ll know we have a potential new option for treating pattern hair loss. Until then, if you are experiencing hair loss and want to keep your hair then talking to a doctor about what you can use now is still your best option. (Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, 2026)
Dr. Simon Pimstone, MD PhD FRCPC
Physician-Scientist; Founder, Director, and Chief Executive Officer
XYON: Founder, Director, and CEO
Education
Doctorate of Medicine (MD) — University of Cape Town, South Africa — 1991
Genetics (PhD) — University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands — 1998
Internal Medicine (Postgraduate Fellowship) — University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada — 2001
Academic & Clinical Appointments
Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine — University of British Columbia
Associate Member, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine — University of British Columbia
Faculty — Providence Health Care Heart and Lung Institute
References:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). What is male pattern hair loss, and can it be treated?
ClinicalTrials.gov. (n.d.). Study record: NCT06126965.
Frontiers in Pharmacology. (2026). Emerging pharmacotherapies and regenerative solutions for promoting hair growth for androgenetic alopecia. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2026.1776134
Gubelin Harcha, W., Barboza Martínez, J., Tsai, T.-F., Katsuoka, K., Kawashima, M., Tsuboi, R., et al. (2014). A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 70(3), 489–498.e3.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited. (2026). Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited annual results announcement for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited. (2022). Kintor Pharma Announced the Primary Endpoint of Phase II Clinical Study for KX-826’s Treatment of Female Androgenetic Alopecia in China Was Met.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited. (2023). Kintor Pharma Announces Successful Completion of Phase II Clinical Trial of KX-826 for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in the US.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited. (2024). KX-826 Androgen receptor antagonist.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited. (2025). Long-Term Safety Phase III Clinical Trial Of KX-826 For The Treatment Of AGA Reached Primary Endpoint.
Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited. (2026). Phase III KX-826 Tincture 1.0% For AGA Reached Primary Endpoint.
Olsen, E. A., Dunlap, F. E., Funicella, T., Koperski, J. A., Swinehart, J. M., Tschen, E. H., & Trancik, R. J. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 47(3), 377–385.
