L’Oréal taps Lactobio to 'strengthen and accelerate' microbiome research

L’Oréal has completed the acquisition of Lactobio, a leading probiotic and microbiome research company based in Copenhagen, to enhance its microbiome research.

The strategic acquisition builds on 20 years of advanced microbiome scientific research by L’Oréal into the microbiome, to deepen its knowledge of the microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface and reinforce the group’s leadership in the field.

The acquisition also opens up new scientific pathways, such as using Lactobio’s microbiome expertise and IP portfolio to develop new cosmetic solutions harnessing the power of live bacteria.

Anne Colonna, Global Head of Advanced Research of L’Oréal Groupe, commented: “The integration of Lactobio into our Advanced Research is highly complementary: L’Oréal’s strong scientific knowledge and technological advancements coupled with Lactobio’s best-in-class formulations using living organisms will significantly strengthen and accelerate our microbiome research dedicated to beauty.

“In joining forces, we aim to develop a new generation of cosmetics that will use cutting-edge innovations in the formulation process to provide science-based, precision probiotic and postbiotic products with new performance levels.”

Lactobio was founded in 2017 by Søren Kjærulff, Ph.D. and Charlotte Vedel, Ph.D., who developed a unique, proprietary microbiome discovery platform and screening method to select the most effective and safe strains. These precision probiotics, created from a large biobank of lactobacillus bacteria, will be used in the development of topical formulations containing live bacteria, taking inspiration from nature to impart numerous benefits to skin and hair.

Søren Kjærulff said: “Denmark has a long history of innovation based on living microorganisms applied to food, agriculture and health, and it was against this background that we were inspired to create Lactobio.

“I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved and excited for what the future holds as part of L’Oréal Groupe, where together, we can apply microbiome research to new fields of beauty innovation for people all over the world.”