FINANCIAL TIMES: Pharma investors put less skin in the game as risk appetite wanes

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SkinBioTherapeutics.

The University of Manchester spinout relies on the trimmings from plastic surgery — tummy tucks and facelifts — for its research raw material.

Co-founders Cath O’Neill and Andrew McBain wondered whether the probiotics found in yoghurts — known as friendly bacteria — could work when applied on skin rather than eaten. They found one that could. SkinBioTherapeutics is working on three possible applications using probiotic extract. They are cosmetic, an anti-infective and an eczema treatment. All work by boosting the skin’s role as a natural barrier to water and germs.

The cosmetic is likely to be a cream that will give skin a younger look with fewer wrinkles. The spray would stop infection by pathogens, particularly hospital acquired infections spread by hand contact such as MRSA.

About a fifth of children worldwide get eczema and the new product could lessen their symptoms.

The company listed a 42 per cent stake, raising £4.5m. Ms O’Neill said: “The money will develop our pipeline and scale up our formulation and human studies. Then we would partner with a bigger commercial organisation to make and market our products.”