L’Oreal invests in biotech company Debut
Debut, which is based in San Diego, specialises in the end-to-end discovery, formulation, clinical and manufacture of “novel” ingredients and products
L’Oreal has made a minority investment in US-based biotech company Debut in a bid to scale its manufacturing platform and meet demands for the use of breakthrough ingredients in cosmetics and skincare, The Retail Bulletin has reported.
The news comes as the two companies already have existing joint development programmes.
Debut, which is based in San Diego, specialises in the end-to-end discovery, formulation, clinical and manufacture of “novel” ingredients and products.
According to L’Oreal, the biotech company’s cell-free advanced biomanufacturing platform bypasses the limitations of traditional fermentation and takes direct control of biological processes to produce “complex natural products”, such as polyphenols, biopolymers and natural colours.
In addition, new ingredients can be delivered in less than six weeks for use in higher performing, more sustainably made beauty products when using the platform.
Barbara Lavernos, deputy CEO in charge of research, innovation and technology at L’Oreal, said: “Debut addresses one of the beauty world’s fundamental challenges: driving innovation without the resource-intensity and environmental impact that comes with relying on traditional manufacturing alone.
“Cell-free biomanufacturing is not science fiction: it is here. We could not be more excited to be the first beauty company to invest into this technology with Debut.”
She added: “We are delighted of our partnership with Debut to create together stand-out active beauty innovations while protecting the planet’s resources.”