Beiersdorf has announced a strategic investment in Vincere Biosciences, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, to co-develop innovative skincare solutions targeting cellular health and skin aging. The partnership, announced on May 22, 2025, focuses on the cutting-edge cellular process of mitophagy to create advanced cosmetic formulations that promote skin vitality and combat visible signs of aging.
Targeting Mitochondrial Health for Skin Rejuvenation
The collaboration centers on mitophagy, the process by which damaged mitochondria in cells are broken down. This cellular mechanism is crucial for cell health and plays a pivotal role in skin aging processes. The partnership aims to translate scientific findings on cell health and rejuvenation into innovative skincare products by harnessing this natural cellular renewal process.
"This partnership is a further step in our long-term strategy," explains Dr. Gitta Neufang, Chief R&D Officer at Beiersdorf. "With this investment we underline our commitment and our leading role as skin experts and innovators in the field of skin care. This strategic partnership will allow us to uncover new regulatory mechanisms in skin biology that are key to advancing cosmetic solutions."
Combining Q10 Expertise with USP30 Innovation
Beiersdorf brings to the partnership its extensive experience in research on coenzyme Q10, an endogenous molecule and antioxidant essential for cell vitality and mitochondrial health. The company has been a pioneer in this field since introducing Q10 in skincare products with NIVEA in 1998, establishing a leading role in developing effective active ingredients in cosmetics.
Vincere Biosciences contributes its specialized focus on developing molecules that inhibit USP30 (ubiquitin-specific protease 30), an enzyme that blocks the removal of damaged mitochondria. By inhibiting USP30, the process of mitophagy is promoted, which could potentially have positive impacts beyond skincare applications.
Expanding Beyond Neurodegenerative Disease Research
While Vincere's primary research focus targets neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, this collaboration represents an expansion of their USP30 pipeline into the cosmetics and personal care sector. Dr. Spring Behrouz, CEO of Vincere Biosciences, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We are very excited to collaborate with Beiersdorf, a company that is at the forefront of active ingredient cosmetics thanks to its long-standing research expertise in skin biology and rejuvenation."
"Mitophagy is one of the body's most powerful tools for cellular renewal," Behrouz continued. "This collaboration also highlights the broader potential of Vincere's USP30 pipeline across age-related disorders beyond our primary focus on halting Parkinson's disease. It's incredibly meaningful to see rigorous science translated into real world impact with a partner so committed to innovation."
Strategic Positioning in Anti-Aging Innovation
The partnership positions Beiersdorf at the forefront of cosmetic innovation by tapping into biotech breakthroughs as consumers increasingly seek scientifically validated, high-performance anti-aging solutions. This investment aligns with the company's long-term strategy to deepen its understanding of skin biology and deliver next-generation active ingredient technologies.
The collaboration bridges the worlds of pharmaceutical research and beauty, translating complex cellular science into tangible benefits for skin health and rejuvenation. By combining Beiersdorf's decades-long expertise in skincare with Vincere's groundbreaking research on cellular mechanisms, the partnership aims to create advanced cosmetic formulations that address aging at the cellular level.
