Just six months after closing its Google Ventures-led series A, Pelage Pharmaceuticals has gone back to the VC for more. The hair–loss-focussed biotech raised a $14-million A-1 round from GV on Tuesday and also announced that the first patients have been dosed in a Phase IIa trial of its androgenetic alopecia hopeful, PP405. According to Pelage, the latest funding was triggered by proof of mechanism and target engagement data from the Phase I study of PP405, a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier inhibitor that upregulates lactate dehydrogenase to activate stem cells and trigger hair growth.The topical treatment was well-tolerated and led to a statistically significant increase in Ki67 signalling — indicative of a proliferative response of the hair follicle stem cells — compared to baseline at one week, and also showed evidence of newly emerging hair germs.Cathy Friedman, executive venture partner at GV, commented that the firm is “encouraged by Pelage's prior Phase I data readouts and robust clinical safety profile.” She also serves on the biotech’s board.The VC led the company’s $16.8-million series A in February along with Main Street Advisors, Visionary Ventures and YK BioVentures, who all also participated in the A-1 round.Study protocolTuesday’s financing will support the Phase II programme, which will randomise 60 men and women to receive either a daily topical application of PP405 or placebo. Chief Medical Officer Qing Yu Christina Weng added that the trial will “include women and men of all skin tones and hair textures, which has not always been the case in hair loss studies."According to ClinicalTrials.org, the study is expected to conclude in December.