TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DFON Biomedical Technology Inc., ITRI's first beauty care products startup, today (March 7) officially marked its inauguration and unveiled a new generation of products, demonstrating how innovative technology can be applied in the development of cosmetics and skin care products. DFON was founded on the basis of technology transferred from ITRI, with the key ingredient MMpH+ originally used in encapsulating cancer drugs. When researchers tested MMpH+ on the skin, they discovered its benefits in protecting the skin's collagen and serving as a moisturizer, thereby preventing wrinkles. The company thus launched the fourth generation anti-aging formula Enzyme Secret AP-I, which provides comprehensive skin protection and regeneration from the effects of aging, environmental factors, and sun damage.
With its R&D expertise, DFON was selected to enter the Paris&Co business acceleration program. During trial operation, it sold over 1,000 units of its products. Even Jeanine (Chin Hsi), a Paris-based supermodel, is a fan of its Anti-Aging Serum. She tested her skin with an ultrasonic machine before using the product and saw considerable changes after two to three weeks of daily application. The serum helped retain collagen, making her skin become full of luster. This September DFON's products are expected to hit the shelves of France's pharmacy channel.
According to ITRI's Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center, an Euromonitor report shows that the global beauty and personal care market, which stood at NT$426.0 billion in 2015, is expected to expand to over NT$546.5 billion in 2020, with a compound annual growth of 5.1%. Local cosmetics brands have increasingly taken root in recent years. Taiwan's cosmetics product exports, according to the statistics from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, hit a new high of US$730 million in 2017, rising 13% over the previous year. This points to growing international interest in Taiwan's cosmetics brands.
ITRI Commercialization and Industry Service Center General Director Jia-Ming Liu remarked that ITRI has consistently sought to nurture and incubate startup businesses to commercialize its R&D achievements. In this process, it engages in business planning and investment assessment for these enterprises. DFON, he said, not only is ITRI's first beauty care startup, but also in 2017 was selected to join Paris&Co, an economic development and innovation agency. With assistance from the French government, participants in Paris&Co have the opportunity to forge business relationships with and earn support from major corporations and venture capital banks in France, he said.
DFON Biomedical Founder and CEO Joshua Lai commented that other skin care products focus on stimulating collagen generation but neglect the importance of decelerating the loss of collagen, which is the key in turning back the skin aging process. DFON's Enzyme Secret AP-I not only is easily absorbed by the skin, but also can balance MMPs enzymes and key G enzymes, helping to restore the skin's elasticity and radiance. Working to return luster to the skin, the product also addresses the loss of elastin triggered by damage due to sunlight exposure. Enzyme Secret serum helps to boost collagen content, and human clinical trials indicate a reduction in the size of pores, along with increased smoothness and tightness in the skin. The appearance of wrinkles is improved and the serum helps to delay the aging of skin. The product was sold on a trial basis for six months starting in the spring of 2017, and people who tried it became huge fans. Without any publicity, the company sold over 1,000 units of the serum.
About MMpH+ Active Ingredient in Collagen Regeneration
MMpH+ is a small molecule hyaluronic acid package material developed by ITRI that was originally used to wrap colorectal cancer agents. This ingredient enabled the drug to be delivered to the cancer cells before the agent was released and thus alleviated concerns of the drug harming healthy body tissue. MMpH+ can inhibit MMP. MMP breaks down the collagen at the dermis layer, and when an individual is unable to replenish collagen fast enough, dermal tissue collapses, resulting in wrinkles. MMpH+ can protect collagen so MMP degradation does not occur, thereby keeping the skin well hydrated and preventing wrinkles. MMpH+ is the key ingredient in DFON's skin care products, and it has already passed many international tests to verify its efficacy and safety, as well as international equipment inspections.
About DFON Biomedical Technology Inc.
DFON spun off from ITRI in December 2016 and commenced trial operation in the spring of 2017. The R&D team from DFON was comprised of ITRI’s experts in biotech, formulation, and materials and dermatologist consultants. The guiding principle behind DFON is to create safe and effective products with rigorous scientific research and verification. Over the past two years, DFON has exhibited its product at the annual Cosmetic 360 innovations and solutions exhibition in France. In the future, the company will continue to build on this momentum and tap into resources from Paris&Co to make France its hub from which to branch out into the rest of the world.
DFON presently plans to launch its French cosmeceutical project with its Enzyme Secret AP-I anti-aging serum and anticipates having its products on the shelves of pharmacy channel by this September, following which it will expand its reach to Asia and the Americas through local distributors, demonstrating the R&D capabilities and international competitiveness of Taiwan's cosmetics and skin care products. More information about DFON is available at: http://www.dermafountain.com. DFON has created a Facebook page for its Enzyme Secret line of products at: https://www.facebook.com/enzymesecret/.
About ITRI
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. It focuses on the fields of Smart Living, Quality Health, and Sustainable Environment.
Over the years, ITRI has incubated over 300 innovative companies, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote opportunities for international cooperation around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.itri.org/eng.
Media Contact
Christelle Cheng
Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI
+886-(0)3-5919154
Christelle.Cheng@itri.org.tw
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b804ca2b-b446-4148-9b88-9976b6a5bd0e
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9195a9be-c6d3-4ef2-aa48-a84d6c4c908f