MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DS Laboratories has announced the release of the first topical treatment based on astressin-B, a peptide newly discovered to regrow hair on bald mice. DS Laboratories becomes the first biotech developer to synthesize and commercialize the peptide for human use in a cosmetic product, to be marketed as Spectral.F7 under the DS Laboratories brand.

"Astressin-B is a very complex peptide that is difficult to synthesize," said DS Laboratories CEO Daniel Khesin. "So we are especially excited that the resulting product will be reasonably priced as well as cutting-edge, considering the extraordinary development schedule and cost."

Astressin-B sparked extensive media coverage worldwide and excitement around the biotech industry after a clinical study, conducted by the University of California Los Angeles and the Veterans Administration, was published in February. By applying the peptide (a protein fragment) subcutaneously to mice that had gone bald due to overexpression of stress hormones, scientists showed that astressin-B blocked receptors for corticotropin-releasing factor, involved in the stress response, and led to hair regrowth.

"We think this technology is years ahead of its time," continued Khesin. "It could provide significant benefits to many of our customers. Spectral.F7 is another direct result of our relentless commitment to bring the latest technology to market first and always."

Spectral.F7, a booster that can be combined with other treatments or used alone, should begin shipping in October. It comes less than two months after DS Laboratories introduced Nanoxidil, a new molecule designed to stimulate follicles at the vertex of the scalp and surpass minoxidil for efficacy and tolerability.