http://www.sironabiochem.com/products/skinlightening/
Skin Lightening
Opportunity
Contrary to western culture’s desire for tanned skin and sun-kissed cheeks, there is a growing trend for lighter skin in many parts of the world. In Asia, particularly India, Japan and China, light or fair skin represents beauty, youth and affluence as tanned skin is seen as a result of manual labour outside under the sun.
In Asia Pacific, it’s estimated US$13 billion is spent annually on skin lightening products. Approximately 15% of the worldwide population invests in skin lightening products with Asia being the largest market. In India alone, it’s estimated that US$432 million was spent in 2010 on skin lightening creams and is growing at 18 percent annually.
Globally, skin lighteners are used by:
33% of the Chinese population, daily or weekly 62% of women in India 55% of Japanese women 22% of Taiwanese consumers 50% of Senegalese women 24% of Malinese women 36% of South African women
The trend is far reaching beyond just women. A recent survey showed that 80% of Indian men use fairness creams.
Skin lightening products are a fast emerging market in North America and Europe as well. Demand for skin lighteners in these regions has been mainly driven by a desire to reverse sun damage and for the appearance of younger looking skin. In North America and Europe, skin lighteners are used to minimize the appearance of sun spots and freckles.
Medical conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, vitiligo and rosacea are also contributing to the demand for safer and more effective skin lightening creams.
Need
There is a recognized need for a safer and more effective skin lightening agent. The most common skin lightening agent worldwide is hydroquinone, which is linked to cancer and has been banned in Europe since 2001. In the United States, restrictions have been placed on concentration levels of hydroquinone; over-the-counter creams are restricted to no more than 2% hydroquinone and a prescription is required to obtain a maximum 4% hydroquinone concentration. Despite the dangers, restrictions and bans, hydroquinone is still widely used around the world.
Arbutin is a natural extract of the bearberry plant and reduces or inhibits melanin production or darkening of the skin. There are, however, safety concerns surrounding arbutin as well. Despite its success as an effective skin lightener, natural forms of arbutin are chemically unstable and can release hydroquinone. As a result, the European Cosmetics Association placed a ban on the use of beta arbutin in 2008.
Our Solution
Sirona Biochem has a proprietary chemistry technique that stabilizes carbohydrate molecules. With our team’s unique expertise, we have developed a skin depigmenting agent which studies prove is safer and more effective than arbutin.
Our skin lightener development program is directly supported by the French government. Recognizing the exceptional innovation of our subsidiary, TFChem, the French government awarded our laboratory a $1.9M grant in 2011. The grant is designed to bring the skin lightening program to a commercial-ready stage. A cosmetic consortium, which includes the University of Rouen and contract research organization, Biogalenys, has also been established to support our innovative cosmetic programs.
Several studies have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of Sirona Biochem’s depigmenting agents TFC-723 and TFC-849.
TFC-723 is 7X more effective than beta arbutin TFC-723 is chemically stable and does not release hydroquinone TFC-849 is 14X more effective than beta arbutin TFC-849 is 7X more effective than alpha arbutin TFC-849 is chemically stable and does not release hydroquinone TFC-849 is non-genotoxic TFC-723 is non-genotoxic TFC-849 is shown to be a non-irritant in ocular tolerability study TFC-723 is shown to be a non-irritant in ocular tolerability study TFC-849 is shown to be a non-photoxic in study against UVA irradiation TFC-723 is shown to be a non-photoxic in study against UVA irradiation TFC-849 is shown to be a non-irritant in RHE study TFC-723 is shown to be a non-irritant in RHE study
Sirona Biochem’s studies were completed in accordance with the regulatory methods of the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). No animals were involved in the development and testing of Sirona Biochem’s skin lightening compounds.
Commercialization
In 2014, Sirona announced the formal execution of the global exclusive licensing agreement with Obagi Medical Products (Obagi) for the commercialization of skin lightening compound TFC-849. Sirona Biochem will receive a licensing fee and ongoing royalty payments for global product sales from Obagi Medical Products.
Sirona’s other skin lightening compounds remain available for:
Licensing Agreements Royalty Agreements Acquisition of our technology Joint ventures
For any additional information please contact Attila Hajdu at ahajdu@sironabiochem.com.
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