Health and wellbeing challenges

• Prebiotics for Microbiome control

  Identification of external suppliers with libraries of prebiotic ingredients available for testing.

  Background: An opportunity has been identified across BPC categories where consumers have an increasing preference for prebiotic formulations including prebiotics from botanical sources. It is desired to deliver functionality (microbial control) using prebiotic materials. Currently there are limited libraries of prebiotic compounds with the desired activity available at a cost-effective price and at relevant levels of production.

  The goal of this project is to identify 3rd party suppliers who can provide materials for internal screening against relevant target endpoints. Available materials will undergo appropriate screening at Unilever facilities against multiple end points and selected leads will be further investigated for safety and formulation compatibility in advance of potential progression to clinical studies.

  Materials may be used across personal care / cosmetics areas including skin care, scalp care, face care and oral care (some additional specific requirements for oral care actives).

  Description:

  • Prebiotic materials (materials intended for use as a growth or metabolic substrate by relevant microrganisms)
  • Preference for non colored materials however not essential.
  • Materials available in large volume for potential market launch cosmetic grade and food grade materials desired. Specific oral care grade compliance required for use by Oral Care category.
  • Non GMO.
  • Specific to oral application the material should not lead to microbial fermentation/acid production (Oral Care specific requirement).
  • Formulation compatibility.
  • Compositional analysis of extracts including identification of active material.
  • Safety Package.

  Desired Outcome:

  • Supply of materials in relevant quantities and format for testing at Unilever.
  • Following in vitro testing proceed to clinical studies where appropriate.
  • Exclusive supply agreement for materials between 3rd party supplier and Unilever.

  What we aren’t interested in:

  • Known toxic materials, sensitizer, high heavy metals, carcinogen or other special handling or consumer safety requirement
  • Known drugs or medicines
  • Known regulatory prohibited materials
  • Materials with significant colour or odour or taste
  • Materials that will require cold shipping and selling when in a finished product
  • Materials with likely or known allergenicity risk
  • Technology knowingly owned by or licensed to 3rd party competitors of Unilever
  • Material / Formulation testing on animals post 2010
  • Drug registered materials
  • Materials with a solvent/carrier/diluent or preservation system that cannot be used in oral care (Oral Care specific requirement)

  Prebiotics for Microbiome challenge - send an application

• Novel measurements of skin physiology

  Finding new ways to demonstrate product efficacy and discriminate between products

  Background:

  • The ability to accurately and reproducibly measure changes in physiological parameters of the skin is key to being able to demonstrate product benefits.
  • Traditional measurement capabilities whilst robust and well-validated often do not allow for the discrimination of product effects.
  • Non-invasive measurements allow greater chances of inclusion in a clinical setting
  • Measurement of skin ageing and of disrupted epidermal skin health (e.g. dryness, sensitivity etc) are of particular interest.

  Description:

  • The ability to make more detailed and discriminatory measurements – or more discriminatory analysis from existing measurements – would provide increased scope for testing in open settings
  • The non-invasive collection and analysis of biomarkers would be considered
  • Relevant measurements which can be related to parameters of skin physiology and product usage are sought.

  Desired Outcome:

  • Provision of novel measurement capabilities which allow the demonstration of product efficacy and product discrimination.
  • Improved analytical methods, that can demonstrate product benefit, using data generated with current instruments (Visia, primos, cutometer, TWEL etc..) deployed in skin clinical studies.
  • Ideally non-invasive measurements
  • Transferrable capabilities which could be implemented in clinical settings i.e. does not rely on panellists attending a dedicated facility
  • Meaningful measurements/analysis which can be related to skin physiology and benefit areas.

  What we aren’t interested in :

  • Invasive techniques
  • Non-discriminating measurements
  • Non-transferrable measurements which cannot be deployed at non-core facilities.
  • Measurements we already use
  • Measurements which cannot be related to skin physiology

  Skin physiology challenge - send an application

• Microbiome reprofiling technologies that can selectively eliminate or reduce colonization by specific bacteria (pathogens/opportunistic commensals) on skin or oral cavity. Applications include Dandruff, Acne, Atopic Dermatitis, Axillary Malodour, Gum health and tooth decay etc.

  Overview

  Unilever is seeking innovative technologies and solutions that can selectively eliminate or reduce the colonization of specific bacteria in the skin and oral cavity. These technologies should aim to reprofile the microbiome and provide benefits for multiple consumer benefit end points, such as Dandruff, Acne, Axillary Malodour, Atopic Skin, Gum health and tooth decay.

  Main Requirements

  • Cosmetic registered ingredients with efficient broad spectrum antimicrobial technologies to reduce microbial load on skin / in oral cavity
  • Technologies that can selectively eliminate or reduce colonization by specific bacteria in the skin or oral cavity
  • Technologies that reprofile the microbiome in a way that skin commensals are minimally affected
  • Technologies that reprofile the microbiome in a way that provides benefits for multiple categories and brands, such as Dandruff, Acne, Axillary Malodour, Atopic Skin, Gum health & tooth decay and ensuring skin commensals are minimally affected
  • Technologies that are safe for human use and meet regulatory requirements
  • Technologies that do not negatively affect the sensory experience or efficacy of the product
  • Technologies that have a positive environmental impact throughout the entire product lifecycle

  Desired Outcome

  • Development of innovative personal care products that can selectively eliminate or reduce colonization by specific bacteria in the skin and oral cavity
  • A strong rationale for product development focussing on route to market
  • Increased sustainability of personal care products by using technologies with a positive environmental impact
  • Increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty for Unilever brands
  • Improved understanding of the potential for cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional approaches to reducing or eliminating colonization by specific bacteria

  What we are not interested in

  • Technologies that do not meet regulatory requirements or safety standards
  • Technologies that have a negative environmental impact
  • Technologies that negatively affect the sensory experience or efficacy of the product
  • Generic or existing technologies without novel approaches to selectively eliminating or reducing colonization by specific bacteria
  • Ingredients that have been tested on animals

  Microbiome reprofiling technologies – send an application

• Solutions for Acne- specifically black heads or whitehead, for sebum control, for improved healing and prevention or treatment of scars.

  Overview

  Unilever is seeking innovative solutions and technologies for the prevention and treatment of acne, specifically blackheads or whiteheads. The aim is to control sebum production, improve healing, and prevent or treat scars associated with acne.

  Main Requirements

  • Technologies that control sebum production in the skin, reducing the likelihood of developing blackheads or whiteheads
  • Technologies that promote faster and improved healing of acne lesions
  • Technologies that prevent or treat scarring associated with acne
  • Technologies that are safe for human use and meet regulatory requirements
  • Technologies that do not negatively affect the sensory experience or efficacy of the product
  • Technologies that have a positive environmental impact throughout the entire product lifecycle

  Desired Outcome

  • Development of innovative personal care products that address the prevention and treatment of acne, specifically blackheads or whiteheads
  • Increased sustainability of personal care products by using technologies with a positive environmental impact
  • Increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty for Unilever brands
  • Improved understanding of the potential for cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional approaches to acne prevention and treatment

  What we are not interested in

  • Technologies that do not meet regulatory requirements or safety standards
  • Technologies that have a negative environmental impact
  • Technologies that negatively affect the sensory experience or efficacy of the product
  • Generic or existing technologies without novel approaches to addressing the prevention and treatment of acne, specifically blackheads or whiteheads
  • Ingredients that have been tested on animals

  Solutions for acne – send an application

• Bioactives that balance the biological clock in skin, scalp, hair, underarm or oral

  Overview

  The biological clock regulates various physiological processes in our body, including skin and hair health. Unilever is looking for bioactives that can help balance the biological clock in the skin, scalp, hair, underarm, or oral regions to improve the overall health and appearance of these areas.

  Main Requirements

  • Bioactive ingredients with proven efficacy in regulating the biological clock in skin, scalp, hair, underarm, or oral regions
  • Ingredients that can be incorporated into existing product formulations with ease
  • Safe for human use and meets regulatory requirements
  • Ingredients that can be sustainably sourced and have a low environmental impact

  Desired Outcome

  • Development of innovative products that can help balance the biological clock in skin, scalp, hair, underarm, or oral regions
  • Improved overall health and appearance of the target areas
  • Increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty for Unilever brands

  What we are not interested in

  • Ingredients that do not have proven efficacy in balancing the biological clock in skin, scalp, hair, underarm, or oral regions
  • Ingredients that do not meet regulatory requirements or safety standards
  • Ingredients that have a negative environmental impact
  • Generic or existing ingredients without novel approaches to balancing the biological clock.
  • Ingredients that have been tested on animals

  Bioactives that balance the biological clock – send an application

• Probiotics for beauty and personal care products

  Overview

  Probiotics have become increasingly popular as ingredients in food, beverages, and personal care products due to their potential health benefits. Unilever is looking for innovative probiotic solutions that can be incorporated into its beauty and personal care products to enhance the health and well-being of consumers.

  Main Requirements

  • Probiotic strains with proven efficacy in improving the health and appearance of the skin, scalp, hair, oral cavity, or underarm regions.
  • Ingredients that can be incorporated into existing product formulations with ease.
  • Probiotic strains that can survive and remain active in the product formulation and on the skin or hair after application.
  • Safe for human use and meets regulatory requirements.
  • Probiotic strains that can be sustainably sourced and have a low environmental impact.

  Desired Outcome

  • Development of innovative personal care products that contain probiotics to improve the health and well-being of consumers.
  • Increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty for Unilever brands.
  • Improved understanding of the potential health benefits of probiotics in beauty and personal care products.

  What we are not interested in

  • Probiotic strains without proven efficacy in improving the health and appearance of the skin, scalp, hair, oral cavity, or underarm regions.
  • Ingredients that do not meet regulatory requirements or safety standards.
  • Ingredients that have a negative environmental impact.
  • Generic or existing probiotic strains without novel approaches to enhancing the health and well-being of consumers.
  • Ingredients that have been tested on animal

  Probiotics for beauty and personal care – send an application

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