SkinDuoTM, the first worldwide topical and oral therapy for acne with alive bacteria has been launched from Malta, following research and development by BioArte Ltd, straight from its labs at the Malta Life Sciences Park. The product was launched by BioArte Ltd CEO, Dr Manuele Biazzo in the presence of Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti.
BioArte’s product, uses a combination of two products: a topical serum that addresses the microbial disbalance on the skin and an oral food supplement directed to balance out the gut microbiota. It is one of its kind that treats the disorder with probiotics, taking advantage of the good microorganisms we already have in our body.
The research and development of the product was made possible thanks to the aid provided by Malta Enterprise under various schemes. The support amounted to over €300,000, contributing towards BioArte’s diagnostic research. The company uses proprietary technology to investigate the microbial communities in our body to enable the discovery of new signatures, new ingredients, and new beneficial probiotics.
Minister Miriam Dalli stated that SMEs can be the main agents of innovation and positive disruption. As such, Malta Enterprise is there to encourage local and international SMEs to strengthen their business locally and contribute via R&D to what global innovation can be achieved here in Malta. “As more SMEs grow and flourish, they serve as a testimony to the solid foundation various schemes can provide. We encourage more innovators and start-ups to come forward to not only benefit from the schemes offered, but also because Malta Enterprise can serve as a bridge between other experts or academia that spurns new technologies, products, and innovation. Today we witnessed the fruition of a product that was researched in Malta”, she said.
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti welcomed the work done by BioArte Ltd in the research and innovation industry. “The Government firmly believes in research and innovation and is committed to continue investing in the industry”, continued Keith Azzopardi Tanti. “We already launched various schemes to help research and innovation to expand, encouraging partnerships between government entities, academics, and the private sector. Next year more schemes will be launched to ensure the expansion of research and innovation”, Azzopardi Tanti said.
Kurt Farrugia, CEO of Malta Enterprise, explained, “Over the last months, we have seen Malta Enterprise advocating for start-ups. This focus is directly associated with the synergy between start-ups and RDI. We are going for innovative startups with a high element of R&D, especially since they are still in full swing to develop their core products. The message is clear; the tools are there, and Malta Enterprise is eager to assist.”
According to Dr Manuele Biazzo, CEO of The BioArte, awareness that probiotics can be beneficial for skin disorders was already there, but no one was able, so far, to reach the market with a product like this. “We are the first to come up with an approach based on oral probiotics combined with a topical serum applied directly to the skin. The two treatments need to be taken simultaneously”, Dr Biazzo remarked.
