Cosmax Group is expanding its joint research on microbiomes from cosmetics to health supplements and drug candidates. The company plans to discover materials for weight and metabolic management and utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for research hypothesis design and candidate optimization.
On October 13, Cosmax Group signed a 'Microbiome Phase 2 Joint Research (VIVA Project) Agreement' with Massachusetts General Brigham (MGB), a network of teaching hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School, in Boston, USA. The announcement was made on the 21st.
Attendees at the signing ceremony included Cosmax Group Chairman Lee Kyung-soo, Cosmax BTI CEO Lee Byung-joo, R&I Center Director Park Cheon-ho, MGH President Marcella Guadalupe del Carmen, MGH Medical Director Will Curry, and MGB Chief Development Officer Mike McNally.
MGB oversees the network of teaching hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School. The two parties aim to expand microbiome research into next-generation bio-healthcare R&D based on the results of the initial basic and translational research conducted from 2024 to 2026.
In the initial joint research, Cosmax's skin microbiome data was integrated with MGB's clinical data. Researchers identified mechanisms by which specific microbiome-derived substances alleviate symptoms in atopic dermatitis models and improve skin barrier function. The findings were published in the international journal 'Allergy,' and Cosmax has filed for domestic patents related to the microbial-derived technology.
The name 'VIVA Project' is derived from the first letters of Vision, Innovation, Vitality, and Advancement. In this research, Cosmax Group will discover not only cosmetic ingredients but also functional ingredients for health supplements and bio drug candidates. The company plans to leverage MGB's clinical foundation to validate the efficacy and safety of candidate substances and promote the commercialization of anti-aging and slow-aging products and technologies.
Weight and metabolic management materials will also be a focus of the research. Cosmax Group is launching a project to discover probiotics and functional materials for health supplements that operate similarly to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
The company will also apply AI-based analytical technology to its bio research. Researchers will interact with AI to design hypotheses and optimize candidate substances, enhancing the speed and accuracy of R&D.
Cosmax has received certification for compliance with medical device manufacturing and quality management standards (GMP) and has established a development and production system for Class II adhesive transparent wound dressings. The company plans to utilize this as a manufacturing base for the commercialization of bio-healthcare materials.
Chairman Lee Kyung-soo stated, "We achieved tangible results such as publication in international journals and patent applications in our initial joint research with Harvard Medical School. Through the VIVA Project, we aim to secure technological leadership in the bio-medical field, starting from cosmetics."
Meanwhile, Cosmax operates a total of 10 R&I centers in South Korea, China, the United States, Italy, Indonesia, and Thailand, investing 5% of its annual revenue in research and development. In the second quarter of this year, the company reported consolidated sales of 794.9 billion won and an operating profit of 73.7 billion won, marking increases of 27% and 21%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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