The skin is the largest organ of the human body and all compounds, whether they are used for therapeutic purposes, as a cosmetic and consumer good or in other applications such as a pesticide, must be tested in the laboratory to ensure they are safe. The skin is a fascinating organ in that it can metabolise drugs similar to the liver. While the liver is the main part of the body that metabolises drugs, since the skin is such a large organ, the impact the skin has on drug metabolism can be significant. In fact, negative skin reactions account for halting the use 2% of all drugs. Unfortunately current laboratory testing methodologies are not fully able to replicate human skin responses and can cause high error rates in skin testing. The skin changes in the laboratory, losing its ability to act as a barrier and metabolise drugs. This is causing problems in innovation for generating new skin therapies and ensuring that compounds are safe for human use. As a result, in the past few decades, there has only been one new topical therapeutic for common skin inflammatory conditions (e.g. psoriasis and eczema) that affect 4-8% of the world's population. The new topical was only approved this year by the FDA but is not yet available in the NHS. Keratify has developed a new methodology for preclinical skin testing that comprehensively replicates human skin responses in the laboratory. Current analysis of our skin testing platform is based on standard techniques that are commonly available. Here we will work with NPL to provide state-of-the-art analysis to assess how a compound permeates through the skin (whether it goes through the cells in the epidermis or around the cells) and how it is metabolised in human skin. This will be the first time a laboratory test can identify the route of permeation with metabolism and toxicology analysis. With 50% of the world's population suffering from some form of skin condition, we aim to ensure that new compounds can eventually reach those who need it as safely and effectively as possible.

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The skin is the protective outer layer of the body. It is effective in preventing damage from a range of biological and environmental agents during its lifetime including pathogens, UV radiation and pollution. Despite its effectiveness in this task, the skin requires the application of topical agents to enhance and improve its function. One such product are sunscreens, which are required to prevent the effects of excessive UV exposure that can lead to the formation of skin cancer. Although sunscreens have a clear therapeutic function, in Europe they and other skin care products are regulated as cosmetics, meaning they are subject to the animal testing ban (in place since 2013). The problem is there are many examples where scientists have not been able to provide suitable human replacement laboratory tests for the animal experiments. This means that some sunscreens and skin care product development has all but halted in Europe as the safety of these new products cannot be ensured. Keratify is creating new technology to improve laboratory skin testing so that new cosmetics, including sunscreens, can be developed safely.