Signed earlier this week, the discovery agreement gives BASF access to Biomillenia’s microbiome-on-a-chip technology that can grow specific microbes for research. BASF said it would use this to explore how active ingredients modulated the presence and growth of the skin microbiota and consequently its impacted its overall health.
David Hérault, R&D global director of BASF Beauty Care Solutions, said: “The skin hosts a huge and varied microbiota and as such plays an important role in skin health. Biomillenia’s ability to rapidly identify novel microbes and screen for active ingredients involved in promoting healthy skin will enable new research possibilities and market opportunities for BASF.”
The overall aim, Hérault said, would be to identify novel dermocosmetic active ingredients involved in promoting skin health.
Continued research partnerships for active skin ingredients
BASF said it would continue to expand its activities in developing ingredients that act on or through the skin microbiota, including in-house and partnership work.
Last month, the firm partnered with research institute CTIBiotech to research anti-inflammatory ingredients on a 3D bio-printed skin model that enabled a closer understanding on inflammatory mechanisms linked to things like ageing, sensitivity and dysbiosis.
Partnership work on the skin microbiome was also well under way elsewhere in industry, along with key scientific and technical advances, including Labskin’s AI psoriasis model to test cosmetic products and Givaudan Active Beauty’s i-MAPS instant microbiome profiling system opening promise for hyper-personalised beauty.
Last month, BASF competitor Evonik also partnered with the University of California San Diego’s Center for Microbiome Innovation (CMI) to research and develop cosmetic raw materials for a healthier skin microbiome.
