바이오스펙테이터

바이오스펙테이터 Jongwon Jang 기자

Celltrion has developed a new liposome-based delivery approach to maximize the effective application of cosmetic ingredients.

Celltrion said on December 21 that it has won New Excellence Technology (NET) certification in recognition of a new type of hybrid-type multi-lamellar nanostructure that can significantly improve the skin absorption rates (permeation rates) of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a physiologically active protein that is widely used as a functional cosmetic component.

The Korean Agency for Technology Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has introduced the NET certification program, with the aim of nurturing new technologies in the domestic professional fields.

The hybrid-type multi-lamellar nanostructure is capable of incorporating or trapping EGF in liposomes, so that the protein is delivered into the body or cells with high physiological activity. EGF has been shown to promote skin tissue repair and regeneration, and to prevent stretch marks. Further, application of EGF to aging skin will support natural skin cell rejuvenation and revitalization, which otherwise decrease with age.

EGF does not easily permeate the skin, due to its high molecular weight and structural instability. For skin delivery of physiologically active protein components, such as EGF, a typical method is to deliver EGF into the skin by use of liposomes as carriers, in such a manner that EGF is encapsulated into the lipid bilayer of empty vesicles.

However, the conventional method generally shows a low encapsulation efficiency of < 20 %, which presents a serious technical limitation, because the amount of protein encapsulated relative to the total weight of the liposome is very low.

To comply with the aforementioned drawbacks, Celltrion has for 5 years conducted intensive studies in collaboration with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Consequently, the hybrid-type multi-lamellar nanostructure is made available by interactions between EGF and empty vesicles formed of cationic lipid; EGF is associated with the cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) by electrostatic interaction, and located between the unilamellar liposomes, thus improving the encapsulation efficiency up to 90 %.

The manufacturing process of the EGF-DOTAP hybrid-type multi-lamellar nanostructure serves to prevent any denaturalization of EGF from high temperature and high pressure. Furthermore, due to its structure of covering the physiologically active protein with multilayers of DOTAP lipid, higher encapsulation efficiency may lead to better skin delivery of the active ingredients.

In parallel with continuous research endeavors to extend the range of applications, Celltrion expects that in addition to EGF, its platform technology will be applied to other physiologically active protein components.

Celltrion filed the relevant patent registration in Korea, which is coupled with its Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application that is under way in six countries including the U.S., and in Europe and Asia. A series of functional cosmetic products using the novel technology will be commercialized by Celltrion’s affiliated company, Celltrion Skincure, in the latter half of 2018.

“We are delighted to note that Celltrion’s first-of-class biotechnology is recognized through NET certification in the cosmetic field”, said Seo Jin Seok, Vice President and Research Director at the Celltrion R&D Center.

“We will strive to develop biotechnology-based highly functional and high efficiency biocosmetic products”.