Evocutis, Bradford University collaborate for pigmented LabSkin

UK-based dermatology firm Evocutis has teamed up with the University of Bradford’s Centre for Skin Sciences to improve the treatment of pigment-related skin conditions and the development of sun protection products.

The co-funded project will investigate adding melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin and give skin and hair its colour, to Evocutis’ LabSkin living skin equivalent model.

The project would help Evocutis in marketing its LabSkin models for different skin types and colours, allowing them to be used more widely in laboratories for research and development of medical and personal care products.

According to Evocutis, Bradford’s skin experts are interested in how LabSkin, a living skin equivalent, could be developed and used for research to take on conditions such as Vitiligo (loss of pigment), Melasma (increased skin pigmentation) and common ‘age spots’.

As per the research, a commercial use of pigmented LabSkin would be tested to support the marketing claims of sun protection products.

LabSkin, which was introduced by Evocutis in 2012 following 10 years research at the University of Leeds, is a 3D living skin equivalent, which is already used by pharmaceutical and personal care companies globally in the field of research and testing in its current non-pigmented form.

The product can be used to test a whole range of skincare products including moisturisers, anti-ageing products and anti-microbial agents, which further reduce the need for human and animal testing.

The University of Bradford’s Centre for Skin Sciences director Prof Des Tobin said, "We’re hopeful that this research will help us find improved ways of investigating common pigment-related skin conditions which is an area of particular interest to us, as well as helping Evocutis to develop its LabSkin model to more fully approximate human skin."