10.11.21
Sequential Skin Ltd, a biotech start-up behind a novel patch-based skin analysis of genetics and the skin microbiome—has raised $1.65 million in its oversubscribed seed round. The investment will be used to extend the company’s B2B offering to skincare, haircare and healthcare companies, adding to the 12 major clients currently using Sequential Skin.
In making the announcement, Sequential Skin said it will also be rolling out a consumer product, with a focus on expanding into the US via New York City, according to the UK/Singapore-based company.
The round was led by Metaplanet, and supported by Scrum Ventures, SOSV, Genedant, and angel investor, Ben Holmes. This latest investment brings the total venture funding raised by Sequential Skin to $2.15 million in 2021.
“The company's at-home genetic and microbiome test kit has the potential to reach more consumers than any other personalized skincare company in the market. We are fortunate to partner with such a promising company and team,” said Tak Miyata, founder and general partner, Scrum Ventures.
The funding will also significantly boost the firm’s IP portfolio to develop further tools to understand how genetics, epigenetics and skin microbiome, affect health and disease, according to the company.
According to Sequential Skin, the only way to truly understand skin health and create personalization in skin care, is to understand one’s genetic predispositions and the skin microbiome. Understanding these biomarkers allows for personalized skincare as well as the ability to discover novel targets to treat skincare disease like atopic dermatitis.
According to the company, the patent-pending Sequential Skin patch is deisgned to collect a comprehensive sample of skin cells and bacteria cells, to assess your genetics and microbiome accurately. The company uses world-leading next-generation sequencing technology to sequence human and bacterial genomes to look at the relevant genetic and microbiome targets up close. Once a sample is collected, Sequential Skin uses quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) that looks at specific markers to identify what unique variants one carries and how they impact how certain genes are expressed. The specific genes Sequential Skin looks at are considered the most relevant in determining six key skin traits, according to past research and peer-reviewed publications.
"We now have significant traction in assembling an extensive dataset on skin types from Asia, Europe and the US—a great chance for us to discover novel biomarkers for skin conditions in different populations," said Dr Oliver Worsley, CEO and cofounder.
Sequential Skin is supported by Johnson & Johnson Innovation as well as Enterprise SG, A*STAR, Genome Institute of Singapore, IndieBio New York, SOSV, and EFL (an NYU Stern business program).
In making the announcement, Sequential Skin said it will also be rolling out a consumer product, with a focus on expanding into the US via New York City, according to the UK/Singapore-based company.
The round was led by Metaplanet, and supported by Scrum Ventures, SOSV, Genedant, and angel investor, Ben Holmes. This latest investment brings the total venture funding raised by Sequential Skin to $2.15 million in 2021.
“The company's at-home genetic and microbiome test kit has the potential to reach more consumers than any other personalized skincare company in the market. We are fortunate to partner with such a promising company and team,” said Tak Miyata, founder and general partner, Scrum Ventures.
The funding will also significantly boost the firm’s IP portfolio to develop further tools to understand how genetics, epigenetics and skin microbiome, affect health and disease, according to the company.
According to Sequential Skin, the only way to truly understand skin health and create personalization in skin care, is to understand one’s genetic predispositions and the skin microbiome. Understanding these biomarkers allows for personalized skincare as well as the ability to discover novel targets to treat skincare disease like atopic dermatitis.
According to the company, the patent-pending Sequential Skin patch is deisgned to collect a comprehensive sample of skin cells and bacteria cells, to assess your genetics and microbiome accurately. The company uses world-leading next-generation sequencing technology to sequence human and bacterial genomes to look at the relevant genetic and microbiome targets up close. Once a sample is collected, Sequential Skin uses quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) that looks at specific markers to identify what unique variants one carries and how they impact how certain genes are expressed. The specific genes Sequential Skin looks at are considered the most relevant in determining six key skin traits, according to past research and peer-reviewed publications.
"We now have significant traction in assembling an extensive dataset on skin types from Asia, Europe and the US—a great chance for us to discover novel biomarkers for skin conditions in different populations," said Dr Oliver Worsley, CEO and cofounder.
Sequential Skin is supported by Johnson & Johnson Innovation as well as Enterprise SG, A*STAR, Genome Institute of Singapore, IndieBio New York, SOSV, and EFL (an NYU Stern business program).