In a strategic move to bolster its research and development capabilities, L’Oréal has successfully finalised the acquisition of Lactobio, a prominent probiotic and microbiome research company headquartered in Copenhagen. This acquisition underscores L’Oréal’s commitment to advancing its understanding of the microbiome and fortifying its leadership position in this specialised field after two decades of dedicated research.

Lactobio, founded in 2017 by esteemed scientists Søren Kjærulff, PhD, and Charlotte Vedel, PhD, has earned acclaim for its innovative microbiome discovery platform and screening method. This proprietary approach enables the precise selection of effective and safe strains, setting Lactobio apart as a leader in microbiome research.

The acquisition aligns with L’Oréal’s long-term vision, offering the beauty giant access to Lactobio’s microbiome expertise and an intellectual property portfolio. Of particular interest is Lactobio’s biobank of lactobacillus bacteria, a valuable resource that will be harnessed for the development of cutting-edge cosmetic solutions featuring live bacteria.

The application of precision probiotics derived from this biobank holds immense potential for the creation of topical formulations designed to enhance skin and hair health.

Anne Colonna, Global Head of Advanced Research of L’Oréal Groupe, said: “The integration of Lactobio into our Advanced Research is highly complementary: L’Oréal’s strong scientific knowledge and technological advancements coupled with Lactobio’s best-in-class formulations using living organisms will significantly strengthen and accelerate our microbiome research dedicated to beauty. In joining forces, we aim to develop a new generation of cosmetics that will use cutting-edge innovations in the formulation process to provide science-based, precision probiotic and postbiotic products with new performance levels.”

 Meanwhile, Søren Kjærulff, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lactobio, said  Denmark “has a long history of innovation based on living microorganisms applied to food, agriculture and health, and it was against this background that we were inspired to create Lactobio”. 

“I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved and excited for what the future holds as part of L’Oréal Groupe, where together, we can apply microbiome research to new fields of beauty innovation for people all over the world,” he said.

As consumer preferences continue to shift towards wellness and sustainability, L’Oréal’s investment in Lactobio positions the company at the forefront of the industry, poised to meet evolving market demands with pioneering solutions.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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