Event gets under the skin of cosmetics and personal care research

Some of the biggest companies in cosmetics and personal care got together with leading researchers from The University of Manchester at an event held on 26 January, to find out how research and industry can join up more effectively.

Representatives from regional development agencies, SMEs and companies such as Unilever, Johnson & Johnson and PZ Cussons were at the ‘Collaboration for Cosmetic Innovation’ event jointly run by the University and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS). Also in attendance were supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and a number of smaller companies such as Epistem Limited. Together, they heard success stories stemming from academics and business working together.

These included the work done to test an anti-ageing cream produced by Boots by Professor Chris Griffiths, Foundation Professor of Dermatology in the University’s Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.  In 2006, Professor Griffiths tested the claims behind No7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum and found that it did indeed have an effect in repairing photo-aged skin. 

This led to sales of the product jumping from 1,000 per week to over 20,000 per day after the results were broadcast on the BBC’s Horizon Programme.

New research presented at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology session included how pleasant aromas affect mood, the effects of heating on hair and using sustainable materials such as algae in the production of cosmetics.

In total there were over 150 delegates, representing 40 different companies and SCS President, Dr Emma Meredith was pleased to get both groups into the same venue: “The research in this room is often untapped by our industry and I think that researchers here today are also appreciating the tremendous amount of research that we do.”

The importance of academic input into the industry was highlighted by several speakers, including Dr Neil Parry of Unilever. Dr Parry stressed the importance of developing skills, infrastructure – in the form of labs – and networks of large and small businesses, universities and government, to increase sustainability and reduce product development time.

Professor Griffiths demonstrated how these skills can be gained by speaking about the North West MRC Fellowship scheme in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics which is run alongside the University of Liverpool, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.  This project provides research training leading to a PhD degree for up to 12 fellows and links business and universities.

The day rounded off with practical sessions which involved Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board) on how to take advantage of funding opportunities, negotiate intellectual property rights and establish partnerships.

Naomi Chandler, who provides business engagement support to the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences organised the event was encouraged by the potential collaboration on offer. “It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to showcase our world-leading research expertise to such a broad range of companies, from large corporations to SMEs, right through to micro spin-out companies. The event demonstrates our ability to bring together academics from different disciplines to solve industrial R&D challenges and provides a setting for new partnerships to be formed,” she said. “Today I saw people from leading companies deep in conversation with researchers who are working on science that could directly influence their business. We look forward to nurturing the new collaborations that will no doubt arise from today’s event.”

Any businesses which are interested in collaborating with the University of Manchester can contact Naomi here.