Haloderma
Plant-based skin care product to relief chronic skin problems
Published online: 28.09.2022
Haloderma
Plant-based skin care product to relief chronic skin problems
Published online: 28.09.2022
Skincare users with chronic skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis or general dryness often have to resort to doctor-prescribed creams to relieve their problems, as many "over-the-counter" (OTC) skin care products do not have the necessary properties to adequately relieve the discomforts. Haloderma hopes to solve this problem by providing effective and herbal OTC products to these types of consumers.
THE PERFECT BALANCE OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
Haloderma is a spin-out company from Aalborg University, which focuses on developing natural skin care products with both repairing and regenerating properties for people with damaged skin. The natural products are based on i.a. bio-active plant substances, but without the unnecessary conventional stabilizers that are otherwise required for bio-active extracts.
Haloderma's first product is a phyto-active relief skin cream for rapid relief of itching and inflammation in the skin. Already from the first application, several users have reported that their itching/inflammation has decreased and 14 days later, several have seen visual improvements in the skin.
The formulation of the cream includes a natural plant-based extract from the halophyte plant. Here, Haloderma has developed a new, optimized extraction process with deep analytical characterization, which makes it possible to extract the plant substances from the halophyte plant.
Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that grow in harsh saline environments. Historically, halophytes have been used as medicinal herbs due to the high content of bio-active plant substances with both antioxidant and regenerative properties. The halophyte plant therefore has a large, underutilized potential, which Haloderma will try to make the most of it.
BASED ON SEVERAL YEARS OF RESEARCH
Professor Mette Hedegaard Thomsen and her team from Aalborg University in Esbjerg have been researching halophyte plants for a number of years and have discovered how the bio-active plant substances extracted from the plants have several beneficial properties on different types of damaged and sensitive skin. Based on the research and a desire to help people with skin problems with a more natural skin care product, Haloderma was founded in March 2022.
In addition to Professor Mette Hedegaard Thomsen, Haloderma was founded together with Evelyne Kabemba and Henrik Tribler. Evelyne, who is now CEO of the company, is a former research assistant at Aalborg University in Esbjerg. Evelyne was, among other things, responsible for an AAU Energy Innovation Grant project, which specifically dealt with the use of the extract from the halophyte plant in cosmetics. Henrik Tribler, who is chairman of the board at Haloderma, comes from business and brings a wide range of commercial skills to the team.
In the short term, the plan is to complete the approval of Haloderma's cream for the EU market and launch it on the company's own website. The plan is also to expand the board with advisory board members to strengthen the business strategy - preferably in connection with an investment. In the longer term, the ambition is to expand to the EU market within the next 3 years and develop a pharmaceutical product within the next 5 years.
THE COMMERCIALIZATION PROCESS
From the start of the project, the team behind Haloderma has worked closely with AAU Technology Transfer Office which has assisted with the clarification of the commercial opportunities for the company as well as possible IPR rights.
Furthermore, the team has received guidance for the development of the company's business model and strategy, as well as how a research-based company is built. The collaboration has also focused on discovering relevant funding opportunities for Haloderma.