The Beiersdorf Group is investing in the biotechnology company Vincere Biosciences in Cambridge. The strategic partnership aims to translate scientific findings on cell health and rejuvenation into innovative solutions and products for skin care. "With this investment, we are underlining our commitment and our leading role as a skin expert and innovator in skin care," emphasised Gitta Neufang, Research and Development Manager at Beiersdorf. The strategic partnership should help to discover new regulatory mechanisms in skin biology that are crucial for the development of cosmetics. "We are looking forward to working with Vincere," says Neufang.

Keeping cells healthy

A central aspect of the collaboration is the promotion of mitophagy: a process in which damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria - the "power plants" of cells - are broken down. The process serves to maintain cellular health and energy production. Vincere Biosciences is focussing on the development of molecules that inhibit the USP30 enzyme, which blocks the removal of damaged mitochondria. By inhibiting USP30, mitophagy is promoted, which could potentially have a positive effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. The process is important for cell health and plays a major role in skin ageing.

Classic Q10 with new relevance

Beiersdorf is contributing its research on coenzyme Q10 - a molecule and antioxidant produced naturally in the body that is crucial for cell vitality and mitochondrial health - to the partnership. The company had already introduced Q10 into Nivea skincare products in 1998. "Mitophagy is one of the body's most powerful tools for cell regeneration," says Vincere Biosciences CEO Spring Behrouz. "It is impressive to see how sound scientific findings can be translated into applications with an innovative partner."