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Ability Catalogue

Skincare companies, focused on nurturing your skin's microbiome, develop products and technology that preserve your skin's natural defense system and microflora.

Skills and Abilities at Your Service
Skills and Abilities at Your Service

Ability Catalogue

In the ever-evolving world of skincare, two innovative biotech startups are making waves with their groundbreaking approaches to supporting the skin's microbiome and treating common conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. These trailblazers are Codex Labs and Phyla.

Codex Labs, a skincare startup founded by Barbara Paldus, Ph.D. from Stanford University and holding over 40 US patents, has developed a range of products under collections of patented technologies such as AntuComplex®, BIACOMPLEX®, PreservX®, and patent-pending SHAANTCOMPLEXTM. Notably, PreservX® is a patented technology in Codex Labs' probiotic skincare line, based on the fermentation of Lactobacillus, a microorganism that helps maintain the skin's microbiome balance.

The startup's products are vegan, cruelty-free, and come in sustainable packaging. Codex Labs also provides product information similar to 'nutrition labels' for skincare, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about the ingredients and their benefits. Interestingly, Codex Labs' products combine traditional Ayurvedic philosophy with modern biotechnological research, featuring ingredients like sulfur and salicylic acid.

On the other hand, Phyla, led by Yug Varma, the startup's founder and CEO who also handles the CTO's responsibilities, is a biotech company creating a new approach to acne care. Phyla utilises a naturally occurring organism called a bacteriophage (phage, for short) to target the overgrowth of acne bacteria. This innovative strategy focuses on balancing the skin's microbiome rather than using traditional harsh chemicals like benzoyl peroxide.

Phyla's product line includes the Phresh gel cleanser, the Phortify Serum, and the Phluff Moisturizer, forming a comprehensive three-step System for enhancing overall skin health. The startup also offers personalised skincare and diet plans to cater to individual needs.

Recently, Phyla secured its Series A funding round on Dec 7, 2023, led by Shiseido. Previously, in March 2020, Phyla raised funds in a non-equity assistance round, with Target Takeoff as the lead investor.

As we look ahead to the next 2-3 years, it is predicted that market-dominating companies in the skincare industry will likely be biotech companies like Biocytogen, focusing on novel research and development technologies that support the skin's microbiome. However, specific names and developments in the field of skin microbiome and skincare were not explicitly mentioned in the current search results.

These two startups, Codex Labs and Phyla, are paving the way for a new era in skincare, leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology to create products that not only nurture the skin's microbiome but also address common skin conditions in a gentle, effective manner.

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