The Muscle Mag
Every year, Shiseido, a Japanese beauty company, hosts the Fibona Open Innovation programme startup competition for companies worldwide.
This year, the focus of the challenge was ‘sustainable sun care’, where innovations in UV filters and new ingredients prioritizing sustainability and sun safety were explored.
The winner was an Italian startup called Bacfarm, which will now have its bacteria-based UV protection ingredient developed as a ‘proof of concept’ for Shiseido’s microbiome-based skin care brand, Gallinée.
Bacfarm, a biotechnology startup and junior spin-off of the University of Cagliari, was founded by Giulia Guadalupi, Samuele Antonio Gaviano, and Davide Emilio Lobina in 2020, building on two decades of prior research.
New molecules extracted from bacteria
By utilizing their specific know-how and patents, Bacfarm commercializes new molecules extracted from bacteria that can be used as cosmetic and nutritional ingredients.
These versatile ingredients offer high antioxidant, filtering, coloring, and other properties, catering to the increasing global demand for raw materials from sustainable sources.
Giulia Guadalupi, CEO and co-founder of Bacfarm, expressed their honor at being selected by the Shiseido Group, stating that the opportunity has propelled them to the next level.
Dr. Marie Drago, Chief Creative Officer at Gallinée, emphasized that the competition offers a chance to shape the future of beauty, particularly in the area of sun filters.
Potential use in sun protection NPD
Bacfarm’s innovation addresses the need for sustainable sun protection, derived from bacteria, aiming to mitigate the instability of current chemical filters.
The UV protection product is extracted from Deinococcus radiodurans, touted as “the most radiation-resistant organism ever.”
Shows promise for nutraingredients, as well as cosmetics
The innovation also holds potential for supplement NPD, with extracts rich in carotenoids like deinoxanthin, known for its powerful antioxidants.
Bacfarm continues to explore the diverse applications of their ingredients, confident in their versatility across various product types.
Winning the Shiseido Fibona prize is a significant achievement for Bacfarm, validating their efforts and providing an opportunity to collaborate with Gallinée. They plan to expand and innovate further for a more sustainable future.
