Johnson & Johnson at work on new antibacterial skin care

18-Apr-2017 - Last updated on 19-Apr-2017 at 16:46 GMT

The personal care maker has teamed up with a company that specializes in solving bacterial problems. And the partnership is on track to develop at least one commercially viable skin care product.

Registered in Cayman and headquartered in Shanghai, China, Phagelux uses biologics like phages and lysins to solve for bacterial problems in agricultural health, human health, and beyond.

Now through a deal facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, the company has set to work on developing new antibacterial skin care products.

Global growth

Beyond its Shanghai headquarters where product development also takes place, Phagelux has product development and production facilities in Montreal, Canada, as well as production in Suxhou, China.

And it's through deals like this one with Johnson & Johnson that the company is determined to become what CEO Mark Engel calls a “globally relevant antibacterial company.”

In a Phagelux media release announcing this month’s new partnership, Engel points directly to the significance of working closely with a dominant multinational like J&J: “we believe this collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Consumer is an important step in our goal to create a globally relevant antibacterial company. Phagelux is now developing multiple products in multiple fields that will target either difficult to address bacteria or antibiotic resistant bacteria, often in collaboration with strong global partners such as Johnson & Johnson Consumer.”

Better biotech

Together, Phagelux and Johnson & Johnson will develop “one or more skin care products,” as the release puts it.

Phagelux brings experience with novel phages and lysins as well as its patented tech and patent-pending delivery systems to the table, while J&J Consumer will “provide specified financial support, access to certain skin care and formulation know-how, and support in protocol strategy and design.”

The arrangement looks to be a win for both companies. Rong Chen, chief medical officer for Phagelux acknowledges that "it is a privilege to work with a company as experienced in skin care treatments as Johnson & Johnson Consumer,” noting that, “they can provide valuable insights that will accelerate the development of our technologies.”