The California-based biotechnology startup has signed an agreement with L’Oréal to develop more than a dozen key bio-identical ingredients that will replace conventionally sourced ingredients currently used in the skin and hair care, and make-up products and fragrances the beauty giant makets globally.
As part of the partnership, Debut will leverage its proprietary advanced biomanufacturing processes — which combine fermentation and cell-free technology to replace conventional methods — to create a new generation of cosmetic ingredients.
“Creating bio-identical ingredients at scale helps preserve global biodiversity and secure responsible ingredient supply chains while continuing to prioritize quality and product performance,” said Debut Founder and CEO Joshua Britton, Ph.D.
In the face of climate change, worsening pollution and the unabating demand on natural resources, L’Oréal has chosen to turn to green sciences to create more sustainable products that meet the demands of consumers with regard to efficiency and sustainability.
Last year, Debut raised USD 34 million in a Series B funding round led by BOLD, L’Oréal’s corporate venture capital vehicle.
Debut’s cell-free advanced biomanufacturing platform bypasses the limitations of traditional fermentation and takes direct control of biological processes to produce complex natural products, such as polyphenols, biopolymers, and natural colors, prized for their high-performance, anti-aging, and antioxidant properties. According to L’Oréal, this type of synthetic biology significantly reduces complexity and increases the quantity of products that can be achieved.
