Mitsubishi chemicals department transforms to bioceuticals, hones in on cosmetic ingredients

17 Nov 2022 --- Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients’ (MIFI) fine chemicals department is rebranding as MIFI Bioceuticals as of December to focus on developing a distinctive portfolio of cosmetic components, among others.

“The markets of biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and other fine chemical ingredients are constantly pivoting and innovating, as are we. The new brand, MIFI Bioceuticals, is just the start of our new chapter as a true solutions provider in related industries,” says Tomoaki Masuda, president of MIFI Bioceuticals.

“We will continue evaluating and improving our product portfolio and services to support customers’ innovations. We will launch a new website for MIFI Bioceuticals in early 2023.”

According to the company, the debut of its new MIFI Bioceuticals brand correlates with the company’s ongoing business transformation and its new approach to the market.

Repista for skin health
The rebranding announcement follows several recent initiatives of the company, including its introduction of Repista, a cosmetic ingredient containing Aza-Oxohypoxanthine, which was introduced by VC60 BioResearch Corporation, following its original product line of plant-based Fullerene.

Repista may be beneficial for overall skin rejuvenation.Repista may benefit overall skin rejuvenation by promoting cell turnover in the skin, skin barrier recovery, skin cell activation and increasing hyaluronic acid production. 

Shiseido previously spotlighted hyaluronic acid as essential for lip care as it improves the lip stratum corneum’s barrier function.

Sun protection in the spotlight
MIFI also states that it formulated an Innovative sunscreen formulation development utilizing its Micro Titanium Dioxide and Micro Zinc Oxide product lines, providing solutions to challenges of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide sunscreen formulations.

In previous sun care moves, due to a lack of safety data, the Environmental Working Group urged the US Food and Drug Administration to ban oxybenzone in sunscreens. Oxybenzone is reportedly problematic because it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream when compared to other ingredients. Other research suggests that it may also negatively impact the hormone system.

Meanwhile, as oxybenzone and octinoxate are toxic to aquatic life, Holland & Barrett UK banned the sale of all sun care products containing these ingredients from its stores and website.

Synthetic peptides
MIFI notes that introducing cutting-edge synthetic peptide growth factors from PeptiGrowth could revolutionize the production of items for cell therapy, regenerative medicine and cultured meat.

According to the company, synthetic peptide growth factors are entirely chemically defined, unlike traditional growth factors and cytokines and can achieve consistent quality without batch-to-batch variation or contamination with biological impurities. They also have higher stability in cell culture media while being less expensive.

In the peptides space, Derma E, a vegan dermatologist beauty brand, has introduced two new products: Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Night Moisturizer and Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen Gentle Jelly Cleanser. The products are from the Skin Restore skincare line. The Advanced Peptides & Flora-Collagen cleanser is suitable for removing impurities and skin hydration.

Edited by Nicole Kerr