Aquapreneur » cosmeceuticals

Scots and Nordic scientists set to explore sustainable skincare utilizing marine natural ingredients

Admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:36:25 +0000

Scottish company Aquapharm has joined forces with Norwegian firm Aqua Bio Technology (ABT) to create a new generation of sustainable ingredients for the skincare market.

Together the companies hope to identify natural marine ingredients that could replace the petroleum-based components used extensively within the skincare market.

Scientists at Aquapharm believe marine microbes are the key to finding the bio-active ingredients of the future, and have developed specialist fermentation processes to source and produce such extracts.

Now they will undertake a development program in conjunction with ABT, sharing their expertise in a bid to prove these extracts can be produced with minimal environmental impact – and successfully commercialized for the personal care market.

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Health Enhancement Products, Inc. expands scientific inquiry at Battelle as algae-derived molecules are tested for bioactivity

Admin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:08:41 +0000

The board directors of Health Enhancement Products, Inc. (OTCBB: HEPI), a Scottsdale, AZ-based food ingredients and nutraceutical enterprise, has authorized an expanded study of its algae extracts. Since May of 2011, the Company has been working with Battelle, the world’s largest independent research and development organization, to isolate the active molecules in its proprietary algae extract, specifically those natural compounds responsible for supporting a healthy cholesterol balance. Over the intervening months, Battelle research scientists have conducted a series of experiments to separate bioactive fractions of the algae extract in order to isolate and further characterize the bioactive components.

That program has resulted in a number of isolates that can now be tested in vivo. The in vivo portion of this expanded research project will be carried out in several steps. The in vivo study is expected to commence in several days. The isolated samples will be administered to test subjects over the course of 30 days, after which an evaluation process would identify those samples with bioactivity. Battelle scientists would subject those samples to further refinement and validation, or proceed directly to a final analysis.

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Aqua Bio Technology Partners with Presperse Corporation in North America

Admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:30:39 +0000

Presperse Corporation is pleased to announce that they have entered into a distribution agreement with Aqua Bio Technologies ASA (ABT) based in Norway. ABT develops and produces patented ingredients and technologies based on extensive research and development.

Their novel marine active ingredients are derived from the pure and protected environment of Northern waters. ABT’s flagship ingredient, Aquabeautine XL™, is a patented marine solution that adds moistureand improves the renewal of skin cells in an effective and gentle manner. The first self-limiting enzyme of its kind, it is also proven to deliver anti-aging effects in vivo. 100% natural,biodegradable and sustainable, Aquabeautine XL™ is targeted for use in anti-aging products, spa/cosmeceutical products, as well as products for sensitive skin.

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ABT signs distribution agreement with LICA Enterprises Group

Admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:28:09 +0000

Aqua Bio Technology ASA (ABT) has entered into its third commercial distribution agreement in Asia for its flagship ingredient Aquabeautine XL™ (formerly known as Zonase X™) with Taiwanese company LICA Enterprises Group.

The agreement yields LICA Enterprises Group exclusivity on marketing and distribution of ABT’s products in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.

This agreement allows ABT to complete its distribution network in the largest cosmetics markets globally. ABT’s strategy is to partner with leading distributors of cosmetic raw materials worldwide while maintaining its internal marketing focus. This yields ABT a greater degree of flexibility and strengthens the commercialization process of ABT’s patented ingredients in major target markets.

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Aquapharm Biodiscovery renews deal with Croda/Sederma, harnessing Aquapharm’s collection of marine micro-organisms for cosmetics

Admin — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Leading Scottish marine biotechnology company, Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd, has reached a crucial new stage in the development of next generation cosmetics harnessing its unique collection of marine micro-organisms.

Aquapharm, which signed a three year R&D agreement with Croda, a global leader in speciality chemicals for the personal care market in 2008, has struck a renewed deal to work with Croda’s highly respected cosmetics subsidiary, Sederma, to advance a shortlist of naturally sourced candidates identified during the collaboration towards the market.

Prof. Simon Best, CEO of Aquapharm, explains: “I’m delighted that Sederma and Aquapharm will continue to build on the foundations established through our successful collaboration with Croda; it confirms the rich potential of our marine microbe collection as a source of next generation cosmetic ingredients for skincare application. We are now on course to see the first of our products launched to market as early as 2013.”

Dr Keith Layden, President, Croda Enterprise Technology, says: “Aquapharm is one of the UK’s most promising biotech firms, breaking new ground with its pioneering research into marine natural products. Our collaboration thus far has led to many exciting new developments which promise to deliver novel and sustainable solutions for the personal care industry.

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Solazyme Expands Algenist Distribution Channels to Include Sephora Canada and The Shopping Channel

Admin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:06:18 +0000

Solazyme, Inc. a renewable oil and bioproducts company, has signed agreements with Sephora Canada and the leading Canadian multimedia retailer, The Shopping Channel®, to launch Algenist™, Solazyme’s microalgae-based prestige anti-aging skincare line throughout the country. In an unprecedented beauty launch that couples world-class biotechnology with Canada’s most prominent beauty retailers, the Algenist product line will begin selling in all 26 Canadian Sephora stores and on The Shopping Channel’s highest rated beauty programming starting in July 2011.

Algenist is a product line of advanced anti-aging skincare products formulated with Solazyme’s breakthrough ingredient, alguronic acid, an unexpected discovery which was found by the company’s leading biotechnology scientists while researching microalgae for renewable energy solutions. When studied for potential anti-aging benefits, alguronic acid demonstrated significant results and outperformed some of the most well known anti-aging ingredients on the market including hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamins C and E.

“Algenist comes from a lineage of biotechnology expertise that is not only pioneering the future of skincare, but reinvigorated the luxury skin and personal care space,” said Frederic Stoeckel, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Solazyme Health Sciences. “Sephora and The Shopping Channel provide incredible support and access to some of the largest markets in the world and we look forward to a successful launch with their respective audiences in Canada.”

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Partner sought in development and fermentation of compounds from natural marine origin

Admin — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:24:54 +0000

A Spanish company located in the North of Spain with microbiological and fermentation expertise, is looking for companies interested in compounds for research and/or preclinical and clinical development with diverse applications for medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, biodiesel, nutraceuticals, etc. Joint further development and joint venture agreements are offered.

The biotechnology company is engaged in discovering and developing novel bioactive compounds from marine microorganisms.

Founded in 1996, it has developed an outstanding collection of more than 50,000 marine microorganisms, their fermentation extracts and an extended library of compounds produced by these microorganisms. Through collaborations with private and public research organizations worldwide, the company has identified active compounds in areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases, cosmetic and agricultural applications.

The company has also production facilities; if large amounts of any of the extracts or compounds are required, Biomar has fermentation capabilities of up to 3000L, including fermentation and compound purification. Smaller tanks of 30, 100 and 300L are also available, in our state of the art Fermentation Plant.

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GlycoMar signs nutritional technology licensing and collaboration agreement with Scanbio

Admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:39:37 +0000

Scanbio, a Norwegian fish by-products group and GlycoMar, a Scottish marine biotechnology company, are pleased to announce the signing of a collaboration and licence agreement to commercialise a nutritional supplement product worth up to £4m a year in gross sales . Scanbio Scotland, based in Corpach, Fort William have led the negotiation of the deal with Oban based bio-research specialists GlycoMar. The deal follows four years of research at GlycoMar’s labs and small-scale trials at Scanbio’s factories in Norway to produce an anti-inflammatory joint therapy product.

GlycoMar Limited, based at the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology, is a specialist biotechnology company developing anti-inflammatory products with applications in nutrition, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. GlycoMar’s founder, Dr Charlie Bavington, said “we are very excited about this agreement, which is our first out-licensing deal in the nutritional sector. This is the outcome of several years research in utilisation of fisheries by-products. We are particularly delighted to be collaborating with Scanbio, who we believe are the best partner to commercialise this technology.”

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Copalis launches Protein M+, a marine polysaccharide and collagen nutricosmetic ingredient

Admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:03:22 +0000

Copalis® launches Protein M+, an anti-aging nutricosmetic ingredient. Protein M+ is an all-natural marine polysaccharide and collagen complex. It combines the same proteins and polysaccharides as those found in skin for a synergic action. Collagen fibers give the dermis tensile strength, and polysaccharides prevent moisture loss. Protein M+’s extraction process makes it soluble in aqueous phase and fully digestible. Its high bioavailability makes it ideal for oral cosmetics.

Studies conducted by the company suggest overtime, Protein M+ may help visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dilated capillaries and age spots, thus improving skin’s moisture balance. In addition, results also show it helps repair sun-damaged skin. Several clinical studies conducted by Copalis suggest Protein M+, with added minerals and vitamins, is effective in the treatment of hair loss. While mechanism of action has yet to be proven, it is suggested the active marine complex is related to the production of dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicle. This molecule is known to cause hair loss.

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Solazyme, Sephora and QVC Announce Agreements for the U.S. and International Launch of Solazyme’s New Anti-Aging Skincare Line, Algenist™

Admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:59:18 +0000

Solazyme, Inc., the leading industrial biotechnology company producing renewable oil and bioproducts from microalgae, has signed agreements with leading beauty retailer Sephora^® and leading global multimedia retailer QVC^® to launch Algenist^™, Solazyme’s microalgae-based prestige anti-aging skincare line, in the U.S. and internationally. Beginning in March 2011, Algenist will be available on QVC in the U.S. and in over 800 Sephora stores in seven countries throughout Europe and in the US before expanding to Asia and the Middle East. Sephora and QVC will align their powerful promotional efforts behind Algenist in an unprecedented launch.

“We are constantly looking for the latest groundbreaking products to debut to our beauty customer who is both an early adopter and a beauty enthusiast. Algenist is the perfect addition to our growing assortment of premium beauty products.”

Algenist is a line of advanced anti-aging skincare products formulated with Solazyme’s breakthrough ingredient, alguronic acid. Solazyme’s biotechnology scientists unexpectedly discovered alguronic acid, a true breakthrough in the anti-aging market, after studying thousands of microalgae strains for renewable energy solutions. When researched for potential anti-aging benefits, alguronic acid demonstrated significant rejuvenating properties.

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