COSMAX Launches VIVA Project With Harvard
COSMAX said on Oct. 21 that it signed the 'Microbiome Second Joint Research (VIVA Project) Agreement' with Mass General Brigham (MGB), the Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospital network, at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, the United States. The signing ceremony was atten
On October 21, COSMAX announced the signing of the Microbiome Second Joint Research, or VIVA Project, agreement with Mass General Brigham, the teaching hospital network associated with Harvard Medical School. The signing took place at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where senior executives from both companies, including COSMAX Group Chairman Lee Kyung-soo and the president of MGH, were in attendance.
The two entities have already achieved significant results through the initial phase of research, conducted since 2024. By merging COSMAX's skin microbiome data with MGH's clinical data, they discovered a mechanism through which compounds from certain microorganisms can alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms and enhance the skin barrier.
Their findings were published in the international journal Allergy, and a domestic patent application has been filed. Moving forward, COSMAX intends to broaden the scope of the VIVA Project, which is set to run from 2026 to 2029. The project aims to develop high-value-added materials extending beyond cosmetic ingredients, particularly focusing on weight and metabolic management solutions.
Among its objectives is the identification of lactic acid bacteria and functional ingredients for health functional foods that operate through mechanisms similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). COSMAX plans to leverage MGH's clinical infrastructure for the commercialization of anti-aging and slow-aging solutions, utilizing AI-based analysis technology and a 'scientific colleague' approach to expedite development.
The company has also upgraded its manufacturing capabilities to ensure the direct commercialization of research outcomes. Recognized for its compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice standards for medical devices, COSMAX has developed a Class 2 adhesive transparent wound dressing and set up its production system, positioning itself for the commercialization of bio-healthcare materials.
COSMAX Group Chairman Lee Kyung-soo highlighted the company's progress in the first phase of joint research, stating their commitment to securing technological leadership through the VIVA Project and ultimately transforming the bio and medical fields starting from cosmetics.
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