One year later: CosmeticsDesign follows up with Delavie Science & the space age SPF booster

Last year, CosmeticsDesign interviewed​ ingredient supplier Delavie Science’s President Kyle Landry about the formulation and launch of its proprietary SPF booster which was created using bacteria tested at the International Space Station. At this year’s NYSCC Supplier’s Day convention, we caught up with Kyle for an update on how this novel ingredient for cosmetic product formulation has been received by consumers thus far, new developments and innovations from Delavie Sciences over the last year and plans for further ingredient research in space.  

CDU: Since speaking with CDU in 2022, have there been any new developments or ingredients innovations from Delavie Sciences?   

Kyle Landry (KL)​: There have been a lot of exciting developments at Delavie. The most exciting is the launch of Aeonia, a line that utilizes our patented, exclusive, and Certified Space Technology ingredient, Bacillus Lysate.  

We launched our Aeonia Age Defying Serum last October, followed by our Eye Refresh in April selling out in just three hours. Later this year we will be releasing a sensitive skin version of our award-winning Age Defying Serum along with a face lotion, both of which leverage the longevity properties of Bacillus Lysate.  

We also have additional patented ingredients in development. We are preparing to launch our enzyme-based ingredient Hydrolytic Enzyme Complex, our second exclusive ingredient, based on technology from Harvard Medical School.  

We also are developing a third ingredient that can increase cell viability while adding protection from various environmental stressors. We are continuing to work through our collection of novel biology to further the development of industry-disrupting technologies. 

CDU: Can you explain how Bacillus Lysate was certified as Certified Space Technology by the Space Foundation?   

KL​: The Space Foundation​ is a non-profit organization. We provided documentation about the space flight missions, experiments performed on the ISS, and JPL/Caltech patents for the technology to show that the organism from NASA (also known as Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032) was part of a space mission. NASA allowed us to do additional research to come up with our ingredient Bacillus Lysate.   

CDU: Can you share more about the Hydrolytic Enzyme Complex ingredient development and launch?   

KL​: Delavie Sciences licensed the technology from Harvard Medical School, where David Sinclair and I were the original inventors. This technology is based around a novel fungus that was found to produce a variety of interesting enzymes that breakdown various organic materials.  

Our team worked on identifying the enzymes and fine tuning the purification process. From there we went through safety testing, INCI registration, and are now in the final stages of scale-up and we are finalizing studies to support its use in cleansers, toners, and masks for exfoliation and cleansing of facial pores. We have started developing products around the HEC and hope to have our consumer products on the market in late 2024.   

CDU: What are some of the most common misconceptions about Bacillus Lysate as an ingredient for product formulation?   

KL​: The most common misconception is that Bacillus Lysate contains live bacteria. It does not. The lysate is a proprietary extract from the Bacillus, not the organism itself.  

This also segways into the second misconception that Bacillus Lysate is a probiotic. It is not a probiotic, but it has been certified as a prebiotic and microbiome friendly by MyMicrobiome​.    

CDU: Can you explain how Bacillus Lysate is a skin prebiotic?  

KL​: The Bacillus Lysate is not a skin probiotic since it does not contain any live bacteria. Preliminary data supports the claim that Bacillus Lysate is a skin prebiotic, and Delavie Sciences is currently working on readying that data for publication.  

We are planning a few studies that will hopefully show that the lysate has a positive impact on the skin microbiome as well. We are hopeful since the lysate is certified microbiome-friendly by myMicrobiome.  

CDU: Since last year, has Delavie Sciences performed any additional research into the efficacy of Bacillus Lysate?   

KL​: The Delavie Sciences team has been very busy. Bacillus Lysate was originally released as a SPF booster--enhancing the SPF value of sun care products.  

Deep down, we always thought there were more uses for the Lysate, so we conducted tests on its effect on skin health and longevity. We were not disappointed.  

We found Bacillus Lysate increased skin cells’ ability to produce hyaluronic acid by over 230% and stimulates Sirt1 activity, a key enzyme linked to the longevity and health of cells.  

Additionally, Bacillus Lysate was found to be a potent antioxidant, specifically inhibiting the formation of radicals formed from UVA exposure. The UVA wavelengths penetrate both the epidermis and dermis layers, linked to accelerated skin aging.  

Since the testing results demonstrated such impressive age-defying properties, we decided to create Aeonia, a clinically tested line of skin care products that highlight the exceptional technology of Bacillus Lysate.       

CDU: Has Delavie Sciences published any studies backing these results?   

KL​: Our first manuscript titled “Efficacy of a Novel SPF Booster Based on Research Aboard the International Space Station​” is currently under review. We are also drafting a second manuscript for highlighting the age defying properties of the ingredient. As for the data, the hyaluronic acid study can be found on our website​. Other data is pending until the publication is released.   

CDU: Does Delavie Sciences have any current or future plans for additional cosmetic ingredients research and development through the Space Foundation?   

KL​: Yes. The foundational organism used to create Bacillus Lysate is just one of many organisms we have been granted access to that have been researched by multiple space agencies and scientists, including astronauts aboard the International Space Station. 

The protocols​ that are followed within the lab are designed to minimize contamination. The funding vehicle used by NASA/JPL to study the organism was through the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space or CASIS. This allowed JPL scientists to send the organism to study aboard and return from the International Space Station.  

This research led to the original JPL patent filling.  We started working with JPL Planetary Protection in 2016 which is when we were introduced to the organisms that were studied aboard the ISS. Based on the study results, we decided to license the tech from JPL/CalTech and worked on the organism for over one and a half years. This research resulted in the development of the ingredient we have today.   

We are still in the research and development stage, but from what we are seeing, these ingredients could be out-of-this-world. Literally and metaphorically.   

CDU: Since we last spoke in 2022, what has the reception from manufacturers and suppliers of cosmetic and personal care products been like to Bacillus Lysate? Consumer reception?   

KL​: We have been providing the ingredient to multiple CMOs and formulation houses, so far, the reception has been favorable. The ingredient is being incorporated into a few sunscreen lines and we are exploring co-development opportunities as well. 

In terms of skin care, the reception of Aeonia has been phenomenal. The customers’ comments and return rates speak to the quality of the formulation and, more importantly, the real-world results consumers are experiencing with our products.   

CDU: Anything else to add?   

KL​: Delavie Sciences is in a unique position. We are founded by top grade researchers from high-caliber universities like Harvard Medical School and Boston University and are staffed with pharmaceutically experienced scientists.  

This combination demands scrutiny of our ingredients and clinical testing that is rare in this industry. There are only a few examples of companies who were built this way, and their success speaks for them.  

Our science-backed, data-driven mentality has allowed us to break into an industry that is full of noise, and hopefully we can lead the march for clinically tested and efficacious skin care.