The IMCAS Innovation Tank gathered once again for its 6th edition early this year in Paris during the annual IMCAS World Congress for 2023. The featured session competition series invites leading aesthetic startups, who offer new solutions in dermatology and plastic surgery treatment, to present their groundbreaking work for an opportunity to be crowned "IMCAS Innovation of the Year."
This year hosted a wealth of scientific and technical solutions from companies pioneering regenerative and anti-aging treatments; skin microbiome science; injection agents and toxin boosters; improved procedural products (for injection and laser); preventative tech; and telemedicine and AI. Following an alloted 5-minute presentation of each startup product, a distinguished jury of world-class physicians, researchers, inventors, investors, and industry executives are invited to select the top contestants for 2023.
We are thrilled to announce this year's winning innovations for the 2023 edition of the IMCAS Innovation Tank!...
1st Place, IMCAS Innovation of the Year
FASTOX
Fastox is a Swiss-based biotech created by seasoned experts in pharmaceutical development and in botulinum toxin (BoNT/A). In their current products, Fastox is combining BoNT/A toxin with a booster called POSI (Post Synaptic Inhibitor) to create a faster onset toxin effect for a longer duration.
Fastox VP of Business Development, Natalene Hoepffner, explains more about their current research activites and experience at this year's event:
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Give us a brief introduction of your company and innovation. What stage of development are you currently in?
"Fastox is a Swiss-based biotech created by seasoned experts in pharmaceutical development and in botulinum toxin (BoNT). Our research team discovered a unique way to enhance botulinum toxin's activity with no effect on the fundamental properties of BoNT. We enable BoNT to enter the motoneuron in a quicker way, allowing more of the toxin to penetrate and to cleave SNAP 25. This Preclinical work has validated the use of FTP-501 with the key BoNT products marketed worldwide.
We are currently preparing for a phase I/II clinical trial with FTP-501. Our proprietary formulation, when combined with botulinum toxin products (BoNT), demonstrated a faster onset effect and a longer duration of action."
How is your work revolutionizing the industry and/or the future of aesthetic practice?
"This innovation will not only serve the aesthetic practice, but also, and almost more importantly, the therapeutic usage of botulinum toxin."
What are your hopes or plans for development in the coming years?
"We should start the clinical trial in humans before the end of the year. It will be a phase I/II in glabellar lines, enabling us to assess safety, but also efficacy."
Why did you decide to participate for the 2023 edition of the IMCAS Innovation Tank?
"IMCAS is one of the key meetings in aesthetics and a great opportunity to meet the whole industry, from the medical community to the investors and potential partners."
2nd Place, Promising Innovation
PARALLEL HEALTH
Recently named a "World Changing Idea" in Fast Company, Parallel is a precision skin health company offering cutting-edge skin microbiome testing, targeted phage-based skincare, and personalized prescriptions. With the largest shotgun sequencing data set in the world for the skin microbiome, they create clinically proven formulations for skin clarity and personalized anti-aging.
Natalise Kalea Robinson, Co-Founder & CEO of Parallel Health, elaborates on their current objectives and IMCAS experience in the light of their recent Innovation Tank success:
- Give us a brief introduction of your company and innovation. What stage of development are you currently in?
"Parallel is a precision skin health company offering cutting-edge skin microbiome testing, targeted phage-based skincare, and personalized prescriptions. We've just started to take pre-orders and will be fully launching DTC next quarter. We also plan to execute on our B2B partnerships at the end of this year."
How is your work revolutionizing the industry and/or the future of aesthetic practice?
"Today, dermatology and skincare, at large, is not personalized; we commonly go through a process of trial and error, often with side effects, that can result in frustration for both the patient and clinician on many levels. At Parallel, we've developed a cutting-edge skin microbiome test that produces robust data. We use whole genome sequencing, so we see everything from bacteria and mold to viruses and mites. Our proprietary method also enables us to understand volumes of those microbes. We then pair results with actionable solutions like phage-based serums (phages are targeted microbes that infect specific strains of bacteria; that is, we can give you the right phage cocktail for your skin microbiome type), as well as personalized prescriptions for precision skin health. Our goal: we look to increase positive outcomes for the patient and consumer and optimize time and success rates for the clinician.
Additionally, I think we can all agree that antibiotics are oversubscribed, especially in the US, and by leveraging phage science, we aim to contribute to responsible stewardship of antibiotics."
What are your hopes or plans for development in the coming years?
"Our vision is to empower people to make better skin health decisions with meaningful data and to provide targeted, efficacious solutions that make a difference. As we launch this year, we hope to build our community, execute on strategic partnerships, and utilize our platform technology to expand to other areas and products."
Why did you decide to participate for the 2023 edition of the IMCAS Innovation Tank?
"As a skin health company, we think it is incredibly important to share what we are building with the dermatological world of key opinion leaders, experts, and investors. Presenting at IMCAS was a way for us to pressure test our idea and business model with people who have a tremendous amount of experience in this space and to understand if there is resonance. We're really excited that there is. It was an honor to 1) be invited to participate, and 2) to be awarded."
Did your participation draw interest or support from the surrounding scientific community? What do you expect from this exposure?
"Yes, we are in conversation with a few dermatology leaders whom we met at IMCAS and others who have reached out. We hope that our participation and win underscore the fact that the skin microbiome and phage science are categories that will help shape the future of dermatology and aging science."
What are your winning tips for the next year's contestants?
"In truth, I forgot that Innovation Tank was a competition until I walked into the room on presentation day when I saw the judges. As I was preparing for the presentation back at home, my main goal was to share Parallel's unique vision and solution as succinctly and compellingly as possible. Five minutes is not a long time, so it's important to share the basics with authentic passion."
3rd Place, Promising Innovation
FRANZ SKINCARE
Franz Skincare is an innovative medical tech company, dedicated to providing natural, reconstructive skin treatments that heal the skin from within and deliver long-term results. Their recent innovation, the 'Naked Sunshield Patch' is a sun protection solution that provides UPF 50+ grade, all-day coverage against harmful UV rays.
Following the Innovation Tank Event, they explain their current company objectives, groundbreaking work, and upcoming projects:
- Give us a brief introduction of your company and innovation. What stage of development are you currently in?
"Franz Skincare is a skincare brand that combines science, nature, and cutting-edge technology to provide flawless skin through innovative solutions. With over a decade of experience in the skincare industry, we have a lifetime commitment to natural healing approaches and high-quality ingredients. Our latest venture is into suncare with Naked SunShield Patch, a transparent and ultra-thin film that is similar in thickness to stratum corneum as 15um and blocks 99.9% of harmful UV rays for total sun protection (UPF 50+grade). We launched the Naked SunShield Patch in 2022, and in the coming months, are expected to launch a series of new Naked SunShield products that are perfect for after-procedure care."
How is your work revolutionizing the industry and/or the future of aesthetic practice?
"Until now people protected their skin from harmful UV rays with SPF 30~50 sunscreen, which only lasts 2+ hours, and contains ingredients that can lead to allergic reactions. With the growing number of fears of harmful ingredients, in tandem with the increasing rates of skin cancer, Franz Skincare brought out an idea to reduce these concerns with the Naked Sunshield Patch that blocks 98% of UV-B/ UV-A rays, lasts 12+ hours without reapplication, has a high water and sweat resistance than sunscreen, and offers high exposure zone enhancement coverage. It is also clinically proven to be non-allergenic, as after 4 weeks of use tests, no skin side effects were observed. Additionally, it is also important to protect the skin from UV rays after the procedure and skin healing process for better and quick skin recovery. Expecting Naked Sunshield Patch to provide an effective way to protect the skin with total sun care."
What are your hopes or plans for development in the coming years?
"Franz Skincare has high hopes for the future of Naked Sunshield, with plans to introduce a series of new products in the coming years. The company sees Naked Sunshield as a crucial component of its overall mission to revolutionize the skincare industry through innovative, scientifically backed products.
In terms of market revenue, Franz Skincare estimates that the Suncare enhancement market for SunShield is worth $2.7 billion. With the launch of new products in the Naked Sunshield line, the company aims to expand its market share and capture an even larger portion of this growing market. By continuing to innovate and develop new technologies, Franz Skincare hopes to cement its position as a leader in the skincare industry, providing effective, cutting-edge solutions for all skincare needs."
Why did you decide to participate for the 2023 edition of the IMCAS Innovation Tank?
"As a leading skincare brand, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in our field. The IMCAS Innovation Tank is an important platform that brings together top experts and leaders in the industry to showcase and discuss the latest advances and trends in skincare technology. We saw the opportunity to participate as a chance to share our latest innovation, Naked Sunshield Patch, with a global audience and receive valuable feedback and insights from renowned dermatologists and major aesthetic industry representatives. We believe that participating in events like the IMCAS Innovation Tank is critical to staying at the forefront of our industry and providing the best possible skincare solutions to the market."
Did your participation draw interest or support from the surrounding scientific community? What do you expect from this exposure?
"Our company, Franz Skincare, has developed a new product called the Naked Sunshield Patch to combat UV radiation. This product has received significant interest and support from both the scientific community and corporate sectors. As a result, we have received many collaboration requests from large laser companies and global skincare brands. We anticipate that these collaborations will lead to access to new research and technology that will enhance the development and commercialization of our innovative products. Our company is dedicated to raising awareness of this product's safety and effectiveness through open-label clinical trials with various doctors in different countries."
What are your winning tips for the next year's contestants?
"Our winning tip for next year's contestants is to aim for the "wow" factor by presenting your innovation in a creative, visually engaging, and compelling manner that captures the judges' and audience's attention. Focus on the practical applications of your innovation and how it can address real-world problems for your target audience. Do your research and come prepared with data and evidence to support your innovation's effectiveness. By following these tips, you can create a winning pitch that impresses the judges and leaves a lasting impression on the audience."
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