Beiersdorf acquires S-Biomedic

Beiersdorf has acquired a majority stake in Belgian life sciences company S-Biomedic for an undisclosed sum.

S-Biomedic will continue to be managed as a standalone entity under Beiersdorf’s existing microbiome program and will complement the company’s own research activities in this field.

Founded by Veronika Oudova and Bernhard Paetzold in 2014, S-Biomedic researches the balance of the skin’s microbiome and develops active ingredients for cosmetic products by making use of living skin bacteria.

The microbiome of the skin is a habitat of billions of bacteria and an essential factor for skin health. Maintaining a healthy skin microbiome is said to be important because it can trigger skin diseases like acne if out of balance.

The acquisition follows Beiersdorf's previous investment in S-Biomedic in 2018, as part of the company's corporate venture capital activities.

Dr Gitta Neufang, Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Beiersdorf, said: “As skincare experts, research has been at the heart of what we have been doing for 140 years. Therefore, the acquisition of S-Biomedic is an ideal strategic fit.

"Together with the pioneers of S-Biomedic, we are taking skincare to the next level and will foster the development of solutions for unmet consumer needs."

Veronika Oudova, CEO of S-Biomedic, said: “Our vision since 2014 has been to build and promote skin microbiome technologies and make them to the new frontier in skin health.

"I am very excited that together with the team we have achieved a very important milestone on that journey. By joining Beiersdorf our novel approach has its path to consumers all over the world."