Beiersdorf furthers skin microbiome innovation via S-Biomedic acquisition

19 Dec 2022 --- Beiersdorf has acquired a majority stake in Belgian life-science company S-Biomedic, strengthening its portfolio of acne treatments developed through skin microbiome research. S-Biomedic will continue to be managed as a standalone entity under Beiersdorf’s existing microbiome program and will complement the company’s research activities in this field.

“Microbiome research is one of the spotlight topics in life science and offers unique starting points for break-through skin care innovations,” a Beiersdorf spokesperson tells PersonalCareInsights.

“S-Biomedic uses a targeted modulation-based technology to modify the skin microbiome, for the treatment of acne for instance. The acquisition of S-Biomedic is about its technology and expertise in this very dynamic and future-oriented market field which we want to leverage with our brands for the benefit of our consumer.”

The company details that the basis for progress and innovation at Beiersdorf is the continual search for new biological opportunities to target the specific skin-related needs of different skin types and age groups.

“Products generated with beneficial bacteria can accelerate the rebalancing of a distorted microbiome and the related healing of irritated skin. Therefore, the findings of S-Biomedic could be especially value-adding for the dermatologic brands Eucerin and Aquaphor,” the spokesperson elaborates.

Skin microbiome is a habitat of billions of bacteria and maintaining a healthy microbiome is significant to avoid acne and other skin problems.Skin microbiome advancement
Recognizing the potential of the skin microbiome for skin care early on, Beiersdorf invested in S-Biomedic in 2018 as part of its corporate venture capital activities.

“At the moment, our focus is on intensifying our research collaboration but of course with the clear ambition to develop active ingredients and products that address unmet consumer needs such as for treating acne,” says Beiersdorf spokesperson.

“With the acquisition of S-Biomedic, Beiersdorf is further unlocking white spot potential and securing sustainable growth in the long term in line with our C.A.R.E.+ strategy by strengthening and complementing our skin care expertise and innovation power.”

The company highlights that the skin microbiome is a habitat of billions of bacteria and maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is significant because – if out of balance – it can trigger skin diseases like acne.

S-Biomedic researches the delicate balance of the skin’s microbiome and develops active ingredients for cosmetic products using living skin bacteria. In 2016 the team conducted the first skin microbiome transplantation analogous to the famous gut microbiome transplantation.

Furthermore, the company developed probiotic and postbiotic fermentation products addressing unmet needs in dermatology and the cosmetic skincare industry.

“The advances of S-Biomedic in biomedical research complement our efforts in this field and opens the door to developing products that work in harmony with the natural skin processes,” shares Jörn Hendrik Reuter, manager of Microbiome Accelerator at Beiersdorf.

CDP triple A rating
In other news, Beiersdorf was recently recognized by the non-profit CDP for target setting, performance and transparency in the areas of climate change, forests and water security, earning it a place on CDP’s “A-List” for all three dimensions. Beiersdorf is one of twelve companies to receive a triple-A.

“CDP saw nearly 20,000 companies disclose environmental data this year, including 70% of European companies by market value,” informs Maxfield Weiss, executive director at CDP Europe.

“COP27 showed the need for transformational change is more critical than ever if we limit warming to 1.5°C. I’m therefore delighted that European companies make up nearly half of all A-List companies worldwide, including 15 with two A scores and 8 with triple A scores for climate change, forests and water security leadership.”Beiersdorf's research center in Hamburg, Germany.

Weiss comments that with the adoption of EU’s reporting regulation CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), CDP A-List companies display leadership toward achieving the 1.5°C target, along with reduced emissions and ethical value chains.

“This is the type of environmental transparency and action we need economy-wide to prevent ecological collapse,” he adds.

Sustainability progress
Beiersdorf reiterates that converting its skincare products, especially the large global assortments, to deliver lower carbon dioxide emissions is an essential pillar of Beiersdorf’s roadmap toward a climate-caring future.

Since the end of 2019, it has been using 100% electricity from renewable sources for all production sites and affiliates worldwide. It also converted its first production site in Berlin to climate-neutral as of January 2022 via the switch to biogas. It is the company’s mid-term target to achieve climate-neutral operations by 2030.

Jean-François Pascal, VP of corporate sustainability at Beiersdorf, shares that the company has set an “ambitious climate target” and details a 30% reduction in Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2025. He adds that in 2018, the company reduced its emissions by 12.7% while maintaining growth.

By Radhika Sikaria