Sequential Skin lands US$1.65M in funding for skin microbiome testing kit
11 Oct 2021 --- Biotech start-up Sequential Skin has scored US$1.65 million in an oversubscribed seed round which brings the total venture funding raised to US$2.15 million.
The funding will significantly boost the company’s IP portfolio, using its novel patch-based skin analysis to develop further tools to understand how genetics, epigenetics and skin microbiome affect health.
Sequential Skin is using genomics and microbiome skin assays that identify to consumers the exact products suited for each individual.
“The company’s at-home genetic and microbiome test kit has the potential to reach more consumers than any other personalized skincare company in the market,” supports Tak Miyata, founder and general partner, Scrum Ventures
Personalized skincare
The round was led by Metaplanet, and supported by Scrum Ventures, SOSV, Genedant, and angel investor, Ben Holmes.
Dr Oliver Worsley, CEO/cofounder, Petronille Houdart, PharmD and skincare director, Dr Albert Dashi, CSO/cofounder. The investment will also be used to extend the company’s B2B offering to skincare, hair care and healthcare companies. Sequential Skin will also be rolling out a consumer-facing product, with a focus on expanding into the US.
Sequential Skin uses the latest gene sequencing technology to assess skin health beyond the surface. It explores the skin’s health by looking at how genes and the skin microbiome work together, to give the traits the skin already has.
With personalized recommendations, based on one’s profile, it suggests what products suit each customer best, right down to the best active ingredients.
“The genetic and microbiome profile on everyone’s skin is unique, much like a molecular fingerprint. What Sequential Skin brings is an ability to truly understand what our skin needs and make a personalized recommendation,” says Chen Yiren, managing director at Genedant.
“For instance, they can identify an unbalanced profile of Cutibacterium acnes and point a teenager to the most appropriate active ingredient.”
Skincare database
About US$50 billion is spent on skincare products per annum in the US, the company supports.
Despite the value of mass-marketed skincare products, the only way to truly understand skin health and create personalization is to understand genetic predispositions and the skin microbiome, Sequential Skin says.
Sequential Skin is using genomics and microbiome skin assays that identify to consumers the exact products suited for each individual. Consumers are demanding better solutions and understanding these biomarkers allows not only for personalized skincare, but also for the ability to discover novel targets to treat skincare disease like atopic dermatitis.
“The world of skincare is flooded with a confusing array of products that only help some of the people, some of the time,” notes Rauno Miljand, Metaplanet managing partner.
“We now have significant traction in assembling an extensive dataset on skin types from Asia, Europe and the US. This is a great chance for us to discover novel biomarkers for skin conditions in different populations,” adds Dr. Oliver Worsley, CEO and cofounder.
Skin microbiome trends
The skin microbiome NPD arena is growing as consumer awareness of its benefits rises, with players like Dermala launching a soothing daily moisturizer for blemish-prone skin, called OAT So Sweet, formulated with prebiotics and postbiotics.
Dermala also received a US patent for solutions that utilize the skin and the gut microbiome to slow down the skin aging process. The company’s technology uses microbiome formulations and delivery methods to restore biologically “younger” skin and gut microbiomes in older adults.
Norwegian personal care brand Norwex unveiled the two new additions to its Lysere products range, Prebiotic Deodorant and Moisture-Rich Body Lotion.
Moreover, Givaudan Active Beauty used biocatalysis and microbiomics to tackle skin issues related to wearing face masks, with the launch of Masknyl, an active ingredient able to counteract redness, inflammation and hyperpigmentation due to mask-wearing.
Recently, Lasse Nagell, CEO for Italy-based LAC2βiome, spoke to PersonalCareInsights on how the two most critical trends within the emerging skin microbiome industry are increasing consumer awareness on the benefits of microbial solutions for skin health and further expanding research.
By Kristiana Lalou
