New ‘self-tanning’ product will revolutionise cosmetic skincare
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A revolutionary new ‘self-tanning’ cosmetic skincare range will enable people to gain natural suntans without chemicals or UV radiation, thanks to a deal between the University of Bradford and a Swedish biotech company.
Coegin Pharma has entered into an exclusive agreement with the University of Bradford to complete product development and commercialise a ground-breaking patented pigmentation peptide platform.
Pigmentation peptides are short chains of amino acids that when used as a topical formulation on the skin encourage melanocytes to produce melanin and transport it to the surface, thereby creating a natural suntan... without the need for sun or chemical-based stains.
The collaboration, which began in 2019, aims to develop innovative solutions for skin and hair pigmentation.
Coegin has now obtained full commercial rights to the pigmentation peptides, with the potential for the first cosmetic tanning product launch as early as 2026.
Commenting on the partnership, Professor Sherif El-Khamisy, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Bradford, pictured above, said: “Commercialisation of intellectual property is one of the ways in which we realise the potential of our research and innovation workstreams, particularly when those are likely to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
“This agreement with Coegin Pharma shows that our research is innovative, disruptive and has the potential to make a real difference.”
Jens Eriksson, CEO of Coegin Pharma, pictured below, said: “These pigmentation peptides are very exciting and could revolutionise the market for skin and hair care products.
“We look forward to starting the commercialisation, which has many common denominators with our hair growth project FOL005, and aim for launch in 2026."
About the deal
The agreement grants Coegin exclusive rights to license and commercialise the pigmentation peptides globally. The company aims to launch the first cosmetic products for pigmentation as early as 2026 in collaboration with one or more commercial partners.
The pigmentation peptide platform synergises with the FOL005 project in hair growth, as key markets, target groups, and potential business partners are largely the same.
The plan is to complete final phase of product development in collaboration with one or more partners, with ongoing dialogues already in place.
The Centre for Skin Sciences (CSS), part of the University of Bradford, is one of the UK’s leading research centres in skin biology, dermatology, and hair science.
CSS has developed a peptide technology that adjusts the amount of melanin in the skin's pigment cells by mimicking a naturally occurring protein that affects melanin production and melanin transport.
The method can potentially be used to both increase and decrease pigmentation.
Coegin has primarily contributed its expertise in formulation, enabling the peptides to be delivered effectively and remain stable, ensuring that the active ingredients reach their target cells without breaking down or losing their effectiveness.
The potential uses of these pigmentation peptides include:
• Increasing overall skin pigmentation (for example: for self-tanning, scars and stretch marks)
• Increasing skin pigmentation locally in cases of hypopigmentation (for example: vitiligo)
• Restoring natural hair pigmentation (for example: treatment of grey hair)
• Decreasing skin pigmentation (for example: for brown warts and age spots)