Skin deep: DSM Venturing invests in skin microbiome research

18 Feb 2019 --- DSM Venturing, the venture investment arm of DSM Nutrition, has made an equity investment in skin microbiome company S-Biomedic NV. This investment completes S-Biomedic’s latest Series A financing round. The skin company is a Belgium based life sciences company that is pioneering “a new approach to cosmetic and therapeutic potential of the skin microbiome.”

This investment underlines DSM’s interest in the skin microbiome, an area it has identified as having significant growth potential. DSM already holds a strong position in gut microbiome research and solutions with its Culturelle product range, according to the company.

The news follows the company’s announcement last week that 2018 had been a “very strong year,” with robust Q4 figures, organic sales growth of 6 percent and adjusted EBITDA up 26 percent, including €290 million (US$327 million) due to temporary exceptional vitamin effects. With Q4 core profit topping expectations, the company has announced that it will buy back €1 billion in shares.

“With its long-established expertise in skin biology and in-depth knowledge in the field of epidermal science, DSM is well placed to extend its research and innovation focus on the skin microbiome. We have already made encouraging discoveries about how skin actives in our existing product portfolio work on the skin and scalp microbiome. Through this investment, we hope to foster further innovation in the field” says Rishabh Pande, Vice President Marketing & Innovation Personal Care & Aroma at DSM.

DSM Venturing has invested in more than 50 emerging innovative companies since its inception in 2001 and its current portfolio covers various industries. “DSM welcomes open innovation, as our history of investing in start-ups and taking on the role of incubator shows,” comments Rob Beudeker, Investment Director at DSM Venturing.

Last month, DSM was set to acquire a 75 percent shareholding in a joint venture with Nenter & Co., Inc in in a move aimed at fulfilling the company’s projected needs for vitamin E. The deal is reportedly set to amount to €135 million (US$155 million). The acquisition will include all of Nenter’s production and related assets for vitamin E in China. 

The joint venture will acquire and operate the vitamin E production facilities in Jingzhou, Hubei, China, and have a minority shareholding in Nenter’s Shishou facility, also in Hubei, China. It will exclusively produce vitamin E for DSM, subject to existing supply agreements of Nenter and there will be a profit share agreement in place between DSM and Nenter.