text: Another firm researching hair cloning was ARI (Aderans Research Institute), a Japanese company that operated in the US and was the greatest competitor of Intercytex in developing the therapy. The company worked on what they called the "Ji Gami" process, which involved the removal of a small strip of the scalp, which is broken down into individual follicular stem cells. After the extraction, these cells are cultured, multiplied, and injected back into the bald areas of the scalp. Scientists hoped that after implantation these cloned follicular cells would mature into full-grown hair.
  During Phase II trials they found that the process was not suitable for multiplication but instead, it revitalized the follicles and successfully prevented future loss. The trials continued in 2012. Aderans decided to discontinue the funding of its hair multiplication research in July 2013.