Jenecell, a subsidiary of Japanese healthcare giant Alfresa, announced on Wednesday that it is launching a functional skincare business rooted in K-beauty principles.
The company made a significant move on Tuesday, securing a supply contract for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell culture medium (MSC-CM) with Helios, a Japanese regenerative medicine firm. The deal is valued at approximately 1.4 billion KRW (about 945,000 USD).
This partnership with Helios, a company developing regenerative medicines for conditions like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), acute cerebral infarction, and trauma, ensures Jenecell a stable supply of the coveted MSC-CM.
Leveraging this resource, Jenecell aims to develop and bring to market a new generation of high-performance skincare products.
Helios, with its sights set on global expansion, is crafting a diverse portfolio of products, including stem cell-based medicines. The company boasts significant expertise in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, backed by years of research and cutting-edge production technologies.
Jenecell anticipates that this collaboration will provide a competitive edge for its future business ventures.
Joo Hee-seok, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jenecell, emphasized the significance of the deal, stating that its contract with Helios marks a pivotal moment for the stem cell business and solidifies the partnership. He added that by leveraging high-quality stem cell culture medium, it aims to create uniquely competitive products and strengthen the foothold in the K-beauty market.
Joo outlined the company’s strategy, saying that it’ll start by building brand trust through specialized medical channels. From there, it plans to expand the distribution to department stores, duty-free shops, and home shopping networks. Simultaneously, it’s setting the sights on global markets, including the U.S. and Japan.