We were delighted to jointly host this webinar with NBIC and would like to thank all the speakers
We had over 60 attendees and a really good Q&A session. The video of the session is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/js3SF_j2zlo
We would love to get your feedback - please click the link to the feedback form.
Some take-home-messages...
Skin is not just skin; it is variable by body site, as is the microbiome, so a ‘one pot’ solution is not likely to address either the known facts or the (likely) underpinning physiology
The surface of the body both inside and outside seem to be linked and these link to health of tissues, including brain...that’s fascinating!
Whatever we put onto skin, should benefit that skin surface
Treating conditions or problems of skin via a microbiome and or bio films approach in a cosmetic product is verging into cosmeceuticals and the boundary to therapeutics is thin and getting thinner. So being mindful of claims you wish to make and generating evidence to support them is very very important in this blurry category
The lack of an independent control body (say at EU or FDA) level might be a good thing whilst the sector is in an innovative experimental growth phase - but regulation will come, if for no reason that to separate the good guys from the bad guys.
Products that address both the microbiome and address unhealthy biofilm formation are key (I think oral got this a long time ago). But personalisation might be needed if everyone’s biome is different? What about a family approach? Family with kids; family with pets?
We might remember the hygiene hypothesis in all this; sterility is not good for diversity. The lack of microbial challenge in our skin might store up problems later, such as a rise in allergies? The re-introduction of microbial environments need not just be by topical - mergers between oral, air and topical products providers might be an interesting opportunity?
In probiotics - technical challenge of producing shelf stable probiotic strains might be a challenge for the biotech sector and could be useful challenge for companies to group fund?
Future challenges include the relevance of the microbiome in cancer - are any of the NBIC partners active in this area?
Programme
2pm Introduction (CCUK)
2.05 – 2.25 Microbiome Growth Opportunities in Personal Care and Dermatology - Dr Sudeep Basu, Frost & Sullivan
2.25 – 2.45 Skin Microbiome vs. Biofilms: A New Approach to Formulation - Dr Katerina Steventon, NBIC and Dr Kristin Neumann, MyMicrobiome
2.45 – 3.05 Microbiome - The Regulatory Landscape’ - Olivia Santoni, Bloom Regulatory
3.05 – 3.15pm Q&A and Closing Remarks (CCUK)
