Discovery Platform
Human-centered approach to dermatology innovation
CUTANEON’s discovery strategy is based on conducting product-oriented research directly in the human target organ, skin and hair follicles, to maximize clinical relevance from the earliest stages of development.
Chemosensory skin biology
CUTANEON is pioneering the exploration of chemosensory signaling systems in human skin and hair follicles, including olfactory receptors, taste receptors, TRP ion channels, and cannabinoid receptors.
These ancient, evolutionarily conserved mechanisms enable living organisms to sense their environment and regulate fundamental aspects of tissue physiology, yet they have remained largely underexplored in dermatology and cosmetic science.
In skin and hair follicles, they regulate key biological functions including inflammation, differentiation, pigmentation, antimicrobial defense, itch, growth factor signaling, and stem cell activity, representing a promising and largely untapped source of therapeutic innovation.
By selectively targeting these pathways with naturally occurring compounds, peptides, aptamers, and small molecules, CUTANEON aims to unlock novel therapeutic and regenerative opportunities in skin and hair biology.
Prevention of drug-induced stem cell and tissue damage
Innovative approaches are being developed to protect healthy hair follicle stem cells and tissue integrity during chemotherapy.
Strategies include transient cell cycle arrest, selective activation of wild-type p53 signaling, and topical protection against apoptosis, DNA damage, and stem cell depletion, aiming to prevent acute and permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia without protecting tumor cells.
Regenerative Skin Biology
Regenerative approaches are being developed to stimulate the skin’s intrinsic repair and rejuvenation programs.
Research focuses on biological regeneration, stem cell maintenance, tissue repair, and restoration of long-term skin function through clinically relevant human skin models.
Particular emphasis is placed on extracellular matrix remodeling, collagen expression in basal keratinocytes, cellular rejuvenation markers including sirtuin-1, and mechanisms involved in long-term tissue regeneration and skin resilience.
Autophagy & Longevity Pathways
Research focuses on natural autophagy-promoting mechanisms involved in cellular homeostasis, tissue regeneration, and healthy aging processes in skin and hair follicles.
These pathways are being explored for their potential to support long-term tissue resilience, regenerative capacity, and biological skin function.
From discovery to application
CUTANEON combines translational research with expertise in topical formulation development to efficiently advance novel active compounds toward clinically relevant product applications.
Following preclinical validation in human skin and hair follicle models, selected programs are developed across therapeutics, cosmeceuticals, and related product categories using suitable regulatory pathways to enable rapid progression toward early human proof-of-concept data.
These capabilities allow CUTANEON to systematically translate discoveries in skin and hair biology into differentiated and commercially relevant dermatology products.
Core Platform Capabilities
Human skin and hair follicle models
A broad portfolio of clinically relevant ex vivo human skin and hair follicle organ culture models, including wounded and reinnervated skin, chronic wound healing models, sebaceous gland culture, chemotherapy-induced alopecia models, and pathological tissues such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, psoriasis, vitiligo, and hair greying.
Translational biology & analytical technologies
Advanced translational technologies including spatial transcriptomics, hair proteomics, topical siRNA-based gene silencing, in situ hybridization, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, fluorescence-based functional assays, biomarker analysis, and state-of-the-art in silico modelling to support the identification and validation of novel and patentable active compounds across skin and hair biology.
Cell culture & formulation expertise
Extensive expertise in human cell culture systems — including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, endothelial and immune cells — combined with advanced topical formulation development across liquid, semi-solid, emulsion, liposomal, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems.
Capability enhancement through close academic collaboration networks
Humanized mouse models for key dermatological conditions — including alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, and skin rejuvenation — are conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Amos Gilhar (Technion, Israel), who also serves as Medical Director of CUTANEON.
In parallel, CUTANEON collaborates closely with the research group of Professor Ralf Paus at the University of Miami, as well as with an international network of academic researchers and clinicians, providing access to complementary expertise, translational models, and clinical insight across multiple dermatological indications.