Symrise expands R&D capacities for the efficacy testing of cosmetic ingredients with the acquisition of Italian biotech company Cutech. The enterprise offers pre-clinical screening services for cosmetic ingredients and finished formulations.

Symrise says this acquisition will also open new opportunities for collaboration with partners from scientific institutions. It will also increase the go-to-market speed for novel active ingredients.

Cutech constitutes the perfect fit for Symrise’s Cosmetic Ingredients Division. The highly specific R&D and biotechnology capabilities of Cutech optimally complement the research expertise of Symrise”, says Dr. Gerhard Schmaus, Head of Global Innovation Cosmetic Ingredients Division at Symrise.

Founded in 2002, Cutech specializes in pre-clinical screening services based on innovative proprietary ex vivo skin, sebaceous gland and hair models. The biotech company also contributes IP on natural ingredients, such as micro algae to supplement the Symrise portfolio.

The joining forces of Symrise and Cutech will make the development of new proprietary analysis and prediction models for cosmetic ingredients easier and faster. Such models will strengthen the leadership of Symrise Cosmetics Ingredients and will position it one step ahead of the competition,” concludes Eder Ramos, President Cosmetic Ingredient Division. “For our customers, adding pre-clinical testing to our service portfolio will definitely constitute a plus during their product development. In addition, it will also enable us to further expand our biotech network, thus accessing new, cutting-edge technologies.