‘Strategic’ microbiome move: DSM signs probiotic tech agreement with S-Biomedic

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S-Biomedic’s technology selects natural probiotic strains that influence host-microbiome symbiosis and microbiota population stability (Getty Images) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Royal DSM has signed a commercial agreement with Belgian life sciences startup S-Biomedic to develop and commercialise a skin care active that uses probiotic technology to treat acne.

The agreement gives the Dutch specialty ingredients major exclusive global manufacturing and commercialisation rights on the active which should hit the market in the next 18-24 months.

‘Significant growth potential’ in probiotic skin care

Whilst DSM was already strong in the field of gut health, it said there was “significant growth potential” in probiotic skin care and other microbiome-focused developments.

“The microbiome is a strategic area for DSM,” the company said.  

S-Biomedic was particularly strong in the field of skin microbiome research, DSM said, with recent studies showing how live bacteria could be used to module the skin microbiome’s composition.

Bernhard Paetzold, co-founder and chief scientific officer of S-Biomedic, said his team had observed better results, for example, using a multi-strain donor solution on recipient skin rich in a specific Cutibacterium acnes subtype, opening promise up for the treatment of inflammatory acne.

Rishabh Pande, vice president of marketing and innovation for personal care and aroma at DSM, said DSM would utilise its biotech experience in vitamins, yeast extracts and cultures to manufacture a skin active for acne thanks to S-Biomedic’s “exciting technology”.

Croda International and SkinBioTherapeutics also recently signed a commercial agreement to develop a microbiome-targeted skin care active using the latter's patented technology.

Probiota 2020 spotlighting the skin microbiome

Next week, CosmeticsDesign-Europe will lead a panel debate with experts in probiotics and the skin microbiome at Probiota 2020 in Dublin.

We’ll hear from Dr Audrey Gueniche, senior clinical expert at L’Oréal Research and Innovation; Luca Bucchini, owner of Hylobates Consulting; and Ewa Hudson, director of insights at Lumina Intelligence about opportunities beyond the gut for probiotics targeting beauty and the skin microbiome.

The full programme and purchase of tickets for this important annual event can be found on the Probiota 2020 website.