BRAIN introduces new bioactive anti-skin aging cosmetics ingredient

Biotechnology company BRAIN has has introduced matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI ) peptide, a recombinant human bioactive molecule under its IP (intellectual property) portfolio for cosmetics product formulations.

Created by BRAIN as a proprietary bioactive compound, the peptide will be exclusively used in cosmetics products made by its own group of affiliated companies.

The Germany-based company, which acquired Ludwigstadt-based cosmetics manufacturer, LA Schmitt, announced the expansion of it’s IP portfolio, besides strategically partnering with MONTEIL Cosmetics International in early 2012, and aims to broaden the value chain in the cosmetics market.

According to the firm, there is a common cosmetic problem in the humans, which is called ‘photoaging’ of the skin, caused by repeated sun exposure, even at low amounts of UV radiation that results in the appearance of wrinkles.

The new MMPI is a natural bioactive substance to combat skin aging at the molecular level with the wrinkles, which are caused by an increased reduction of skin collagen, in turn mainly caused by the MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase 1) enzyme, which is released in the skin by sunlight and then proceeds to break down the skin’s collagen.

BRAIN said scientific studies found that suppression of the MMP-1 enzyme reduces the accelerated collagen breakdown in the skin, precisely where BRAIN’s MMPI compound comes in.

Cosmetic products, such as sunscreens or day creams containing MMPI as an anti-aging mode of action, are already available from the BRAIN group of affiliated companies.

BRAIN corporate development head Martin Langer said the firm’s expansion of its active substance platform by the recombinant human cosmetic ingredient MMPI will keep it in an better position to optimise cosmetics in an efficient manner.

"BRAIN’s own development of ingredients from our ‘toolbox of nature’ will be increasingly complemented by selected product licensing in future," Langer added.