Why beauty giant LOreal wants to get its hands on supramoleculartechnology. Picture-Getty.
Check Up: How supramolecular technology is used in biotech, and why L’Oréal wants to get its hands on it
Health & Biotech
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- L’Oréal to take minority stake in Chinese startup Shinehigh Innovation
- Shinehigh is developing supramolecular technology which could be used in the fashion industry
- Best and worst performing ASX biotechs over the past couple of weeks
Beauty giant L’Oréal has just taken a minority stake in Shinehigh Innovation, a Chinese biotech company specialising in supramolecular chemistry.
L’Oréal says it wants to bring in the application of supramolecular technology to the beauty industry, in order to bring “breakthrough new performances to the beauty market”.
What is supramolecular technology and how is it being used?
Supramolecular chemistry produces materials which are based on irreversible i.e. permanent bonds, in contrast with polymers which are derived from traditional chemistry.
This feature enables self-healing properties, meaning that it can heal itself when, for example, sliced in two.
Studies show that cracks or breaks occurring in supramolecular materials can be repaired by simply putting the fractured surfaces back together and applying light pressure. The longer the ends are held together, the stronger the bond is.
L’Oréal says this breakthrough self-assembling technology will allow it to overcome conventional ingredient challenges, and create previously impossible ingredient combinations.
“The partnership will enable L’Oréal to unlock the full potential of raw materials, overcoming known limitations such as incompatibility, instability and delivery, to develop innovative skin, hair and scalp formulations with a wider range of benefits,” said the company.
Uses of supramolecular technology in biotech
Supramolecular technology also plays an increasing and significant role in biotech by providing novel approaches to solve various medical challenges.
For example, supramolecular systems enhance drug delivery by protecting drugs from degradation and allowing for controlled release at specific target sites in the body.
Supramolecular chemistry can also be used in drug discovery by designing molecular receptors that selectively bind to specific drug targets. This can aid in screening of potential new drug candidates.
Recently, supramolecular complexes are being used to deliver genetic material (such as DNA or RNA) into cells for gene therapy applications.
US vs China in biotech
Shinehigh Innovation’s progress in this field has underscored China’s leap into the biotech sector in recent years – which has led to a tight race towards the top between itself and the US.
According to data released last week by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), the two countries are a dead heat in many segments of the biotech sector.
Of the four new fields, the US leads high-impact research in genetic engineering and nuclear medicine and radiotherapy, while China is ahead in genome and genetic sequencing, and novel antibiotics and antivirals.
Synthetic biology meanwhile is perhaps the most nascent within biotech – and as an emerging technology on par with quantum, is a huge area of interest for China, says ASPI.
ASPI’s study also shows that the University of California is the top institution in three of seven biotechnologies, with a strong lead in both genetic engineering, and genome and genetic sequencing.
Best and worst performing ASX biotechs over the past month
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| CODE | COMPANY | PRICE | 1 WEEK RETURN % | 1 MONTH RETURN % | 6 MONTH RETURN % | 1 YEAR RETURN % | MARKET CAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCK | Painchek Ltd | 0.042 | 44.83 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | $58,923,662 |
| RGS | Regeneus Ltd | 0.007 | 40.00 | -22.22 | -36.36 | -85.42 | $2,145,058 |
| GTG | Genetic Technologies | 0.003 | 25.00 | 25.00 | -16.67 | -28.57 | $28,854,145 |
| MXC | Mgc Pharmaceuticals | 0.003 | 25.00 | 25.00 | -75.00 | -83.33 | $11,069,920 |
| EPN | Epsilon Healthcare | 0.032 | 23.08 | 23.08 | 52.38 | 39.13 | $9,611,328 |
| UBI | Universal Biosensors | 0.280 | 21.74 | 12.00 | 16.67 | 24.44 | $59,463,442 |
| BIT | Biotron Limited | 0.040 | 21.21 | 29.03 | 53.85 | -15.71 | $36,077,796 |
| CBL | Control Bionics | 0.086 | 17.81 | 11.69 | -49.41 | -44.52 | $8,807,167 |
| EXL | Elixinol Wellness | 0.008 | 14.29 | -27.27 | -60.00 | -71.43 | $5,011,862 |
| ACW | Actinogen Medical | 0.020 | 11.11 | -25.93 | -68.92 | -72.96 | $44,326,202 |
| GLH | Global Health Ltd | 0.155 | 10.71 | 3.33 | -8.82 | -50.79 | $8,997,678 |
| MDR | Medadvisor Limited | 0.225 | 9.76 | -2.17 | -11.76 | 50.00 | $122,987,909 |
| RAD | Radiopharm | 0.120 | 9.09 | 31.87 | -25.00 | -24.77 | $28,717,564 |
| CMP | Compumedics Limited | 0.195 | 8.33 | 8.33 | 39.29 | -22.00 | $34,546,775 |
| CYP | Cynata Therapeutics | 0.145 | 7.41 | 7.41 | -50.85 | -53.23 | $26,046,609 |
| ONE | Oneview Healthcare | 0.230 | 6.98 | 6.98 | 228.57 | 167.44 | $152,977,439 |
| BXN | Bioxyne Ltd | 0.016 | 6.67 | 33.33 | -30.43 | -30.43 | $30,426,326 |
| RHT | Resonance Health | 0.069 | 6.15 | 15.00 | 64.29 | 25.45 | $31,798,787 |
| PGC | Paragon Care Limited | 0.175 | 6.06 | -20.45 | -23.91 | -50.00 | $115,385,538 |
| PXS | Pharmaxis Ltd | 0.036 | 5.88 | -10.00 | -26.53 | -57.14 | $25,994,562 |
| EZZ | EZZ Life Science | 0.645 | 5.74 | 0.78 | 57.32 | 115.00 | $27,544,725 |
| SHG | Singular Health | 0.040 | 5.26 | -2.44 | -55.56 | -66.67 | $5,652,411 |
| ALC | Alcidion Group Ltd | 0.110 | 4.76 | -12.00 | -8.33 | -8.33 | $139,747,661 |
| RHY | Rhythm Biosciences | 0.340 | 4.62 | -9.33 | -28.42 | -69.91 | $75,188,480 |
| ANP | Antisense Therapeut. | 0.072 | 4.35 | 35.85 | -17.24 | -14.29 | $64,911,238 |
| TRU | Truscreen | 0.024 | 4.35 | 0.00 | -17.24 | -46.67 | $9,999,408 |
| PNV | Polynovo Limited | 1.335 | 4.30 | -10.70 | -24.79 | -4.30 | $921,460,723 |
| DOC | Doctor Care Anywhere | 0.059 | 3.51 | 19.19 | 13.46 | -6.35 | $21,631,893 |
| IMM | Immutep Ltd | 0.300 | 3.45 | 9.09 | 10.81 | 17.20 | $356,191,863 |
| IDT | IDT Australia Ltd | 0.064 | 3.23 | -3.03 | 3.23 | -35.35 | $22,494,686 |
| IHL | Incannex Healthcare | 0.069 | 2.99 | -21.59 | -42.50 | -73.96 | $109,503,715 |
| AGH | Althea Group | 0.035 | 2.94 | -16.67 | -31.37 | -56.25 | $13,861,538 |
| PSQ | Pacific Smiles Grp | 1.400 | 2.94 | 6.87 | 24.44 | -5.08 | $223,414,713 |
| AHC | Austco Healthcare | 0.185 | 2.78 | 8.82 | 51.02 | 48.00 | $53,796,181 |
| NOX | Noxopharm Limited | 0.038 | 2.70 | 0.00 | -61.22 | -80.51 | $11,105,042 |
| ARX | Aroa Biosurgery | 0.820 | 2.50 | -5.75 | -20.39 | 7.89 | $281,621,950 |
| CAJ | Capitol Health | 0.210 | 2.44 | -8.70 | -19.23 | -32.26 | $223,819,975 |
| CYC | Cyclopharm Limited | 2.550 | 2.41 | 10.87 | 70.00 | 96.15 | $239,435,631 |
| VHT | Volpara Health Tech | 0.720 | 2.13 | -11.11 | -5.88 | 56.52 | $183,137,982 |
| CAN | Cann Group Ltd | 0.123 | 2.08 | -2.00 | -14.84 | -52.50 | $52,185,500 |
| GSS | Genetic Signatures | 0.500 | 2.04 | 8.70 | -35.90 | -40.83 | $71,702,998 |
| PYC | PYC Therapeutics | 0.060 | 1.69 | -7.69 | -15.49 | -14.29 | $223,972,028 |
| AMT | Allegra Orthopaedics | 0.061 | 1.67 | 1.67 | 10.91 | -35.11 | $7,296,273 |
| 1AD | Adalta Limited | 0.022 | 0.00 | -4.35 | -26.67 | -56.00 | $9,713,579 |
| 1AI | Algorae Pharma | 0.014 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 55.56 | 5.00 | $22,900,363 |
| 1ST | 1St Group Ltd | 0.009 | 0.00 | -10.00 | 0.00 | 12.50 | $12,752,921 |
| AC8 | Auscann Grp Hlgs Ltd | 0.040 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | $17,621,884 |
| AVE | Avecho Biotech Ltd | 0.005 | 0.00 | -44.44 | -44.44 | -54.55 | $13,491,460 |
| BDX | Bcaldiagnostics | 0.110 | 0.00 | -4.35 | 61.76 | 66.67 | $26,739,646 |
| BP8 | Bph Global Ltd | 0.002 | 0.00 | -20.00 | -84.81 | -84.81 | $2,669,460 |
| BPH | BPH Energy Ltd | 0.019 | 0.00 | 5.56 | -17.39 | 5.56 | $19,394,962 |
| BWX | BWX Limited | 0.200 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -68.25 | $39,997,500 |
| CDX | Cardiex Limited | 0.135 | 0.00 | -15.63 | -48.08 | -55.00 | $19,397,276 |
| CHM | Chimeric Therapeutic | 0.030 | 0.00 | -18.92 | -52.38 | -65.52 | $15,882,089 |
| EYE | Nova EYE Medical Ltd | 0.195 | 0.00 | -18.75 | -35.00 | -13.33 | $37,172,634 |
| HCT | Holista CollTech Ltd | 0.011 | 0.00 | 10.00 | -26.67 | -65.63 | $3,066,801 |
| HXL | Hexima | 0.022 | 0.00 | -4.35 | 46.67 | 46.67 | $3,674,872 |
| IBX | Imagion Biosys Ltd | 0.014 | 0.00 | -6.67 | -22.22 | -57.58 | $18,280,732 |
| ICR | Intelicare Holdings | 0.014 | 0.00 | -6.67 | -26.32 | -64.56 | $2,924,816 |
| ILA | Island Pharma | 0.076 | 0.00 | -10.59 | -5.00 | -57.78 | $6,176,404 |
| IMC | Immuron Limited | 0.076 | 0.00 | -5.00 | 0.00 | -14.61 | $17,312,674 |
| IPD | Impedimed Limited | 0.175 | 0.00 | -2.78 | 196.61 | 169.23 | $353,286,772 |
| JTL | Jayex Technology Ltd | 0.008 | 0.00 | -11.11 | 0.00 | -20.00 | $2,250,228 |
| LDX | Lumos Diagnostics | 0.100 | 0.00 | -4.76 | 244.83 | 66.67 | $44,344,290 |
| MDC | Medlab Clinical Ltd | 6.600 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -42.11 | $15,071,113 |
| ME1 | Melodiol Glb Health | 0.005 | 0.00 | -28.57 | -50.00 | -83.87 | $14,736,602 |
| MEB | Medibio Limited | 0.001 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | $6,100,744 |
| MX1 | Micro-X Limited | 0.115 | 0.00 | -4.17 | 9.52 | -34.29 | $59,388,874 |
| NYR | Nyrada Inc. | 0.025 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -77.27 | -80.77 | $3,900,218 |
| OCC | Orthocell Limited | 0.375 | 0.00 | 1.35 | 4.17 | -1.32 | $73,988,652 |
| OIL | Optiscan Imaging | 0.075 | 0.00 | 4.17 | -12.02 | -30.42 | $62,628,060 |
| OSL | Oncosil Medical | 0.010 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -16.67 | -75.87 | $19,758,411 |
| PAB | Patrys Limited | 0.007 | 0.00 | -22.22 | -69.57 | -68.18 | $14,402,131 |
| PBP | Probiotec Limited | 2.630 | 0.00 | -2.59 | 9.58 | 17.94 | $213,880,558 |
| PIQ | Proteomics Int Lab | 0.900 | 0.00 | 11.11 | 13.92 | -4.26 | $110,101,249 |
| S66 | Star Combo | 0.091 | 0.00 | -17.27 | -13.33 | -58.64 | $12,292,551 |
| TD1 | Tali Digital Limited | 0.001 | 0.00 | 0.00 | -50.00 | -70.00 | $3,295,156 |
| VTI | Vision Tech Inc | 0.350 | 0.00 | 59.09 | 75.00 | 27.27 | $11,101,027 |
| MVF | Monash IVF Group Ltd | 1.275 | -0.39 | 8.05 | 23.79 | 42.46 | $496,784,421 |
| ZLD | Zelira Therapeutics | 0.985 | -0.51 | -15.09 | 5.91 | -24.23 | $11,176,948 |
| CTE | Cryosite Limited | 0.650 | -0.76 | 0.00 | -16.67 | -9.09 | $31,726,216 |
| TLX | Telix Pharmaceutical | 11.320 | -0.79 | 8.43 | 66.23 | 108.09 | $3,616,950,541 |
| VBS | Vectus Biosystems | 0.345 | -1.43 | -13.75 | -31.00 | -49.64 | $18,350,384 |
| TRP | Tissue Repair | 0.270 | -1.82 | 1.89 | 28.57 | -11.48 | $12,630,696 |
| HGV | Hygrovest Limited | 0.051 | -1.92 | 2.00 | -26.09 | -23.88 | $10,725,841 |
| VLS | Vita Life Sciences.. | 1.650 | -2.37 | 14.98 | 15.38 | 0.00 | $88,983,860 |
| ACR | Acrux Limited | 0.040 | -2.44 | -9.09 | -39.39 | -33.33 | $11,548,098 |
| SDI | SDI Limited | 0.795 | -2.45 | -10.17 | -4.22 | -2.45 | $94,498,096 |
| ALA | Arovella Therapeutic | 0.078 | -2.50 | 69.57 | 122.86 | 122.86 | $70,353,255 |
| CGS | Cogstate Ltd | 1.515 | -2.88 | 6.69 | 8.21 | 5.94 | $262,377,013 |
| NTI | Neurotech Intl | 0.067 | -2.90 | 45.65 | 31.37 | -20.24 | $59,114,735 |
| RSH | Respiri Limited | 0.033 | -2.94 | 13.79 | -45.90 | -29.79 | $32,132,022 |
| RCE | Recce Pharmaceutical | 0.470 | -3.09 | -31.20 | -14.47 | -26.97 | $92,511,366 |
| ADO | Anteotech Ltd | 0.028 | -3.45 | -6.67 | -22.22 | -40.43 | $61,500,388 |
| PAA | Pharmaust Limited | 0.079 | -3.66 | 8.22 | -10.23 | 5.33 | $27,553,220 |
| AT1 | Atomo Diagnostics | 0.025 | -3.85 | -16.67 | -41.86 | -58.33 | $15,980,058 |
| CU6 | Clarity Pharma | 1.210 | -3.97 | 10.00 | 63.51 | 92.06 | $316,849,672 |
| M7T | Mach7 Tech Limited | 0.705 | -4.08 | -7.24 | 19.49 | 23.68 | $169,647,239 |
| OPT | Opthea Limited | 0.335 | -4.29 | -40.77 | -55.02 | -68.27 | $222,040,308 |
| DXB | Dimerix Ltd | 0.065 | -4.41 | -5.80 | -49.11 | -51.00 | $25,684,719 |
| ATX | Amplia Therapeutics | 0.080 | -4.76 | 0.00 | -6.98 | -16.67 | $15,520,463 |
| AHK | Ark Mines Limited | 0.190 | -5.00 | -5.00 | -9.52 | -26.92 | $8,577,504 |
| NC6 | Nanollose Limited | 0.050 | -5.66 | -16.67 | 13.64 | -16.67 | $7,444,318 |
| NXS | Next Science Limited | 0.415 | -5.68 | -32.52 | -37.59 | -48.45 | $110,325,293 |
| NEU | Neuren Pharmaceut. | 10.480 | -6.26 | -16.16 | -19.69 | 59.03 | $1,326,408,284 |
| PTX | Prescient Ltd | 0.058 | -6.45 | -23.68 | -42.00 | -67.78 | $46,708,548 |
| IIQ | Inoviq Ltd | 0.570 | -6.56 | -19.15 | 11.76 | -5.79 | $52,450,660 |
| ZNO | Zoono Group Ltd | 0.040 | -6.98 | -6.98 | -44.58 | -67.63 | $7,597,107 |
| ATH | Alterity Therap Ltd | 0.007 | -7.14 | 8.33 | -7.14 | -53.57 | $15,859,335 |
| MEM | Memphasys Ltd | 0.013 | -7.14 | -18.75 | -7.14 | -31.58 | $12,473,765 |
| IMU | Imugene Limited | 0.049 | -7.55 | -28.99 | -62.31 | -72.78 | $350,816,893 |
| RAC | Race Oncology Ltd | 0.850 | -7.61 | -2.86 | -53.55 | -55.84 | $138,608,463 |
| OSX | Osteopore Limited | 0.057 | -8.06 | -18.57 | -32.14 | -72.55 | $8,830,362 |
| DVL | Dorsavi Ltd | 0.011 | -8.33 | 0.00 | -15.38 | -35.29 | $6,123,278 |
| LBT | LBT Innovations | 0.011 | -8.33 | -47.62 | -74.42 | -85.71 | $3,914,904 |
| AN1 | Anagenics Limited | 0.018 | -10.00 | -5.26 | -30.77 | -48.08 | $6,581,159 |
| MVP | Medical Developments | 0.830 | -10.75 | -23.50 | -22.43 | -46.28 | $71,633,332 |
| PAR | Paradigm Bio. | 0.600 | -11.11 | -15.49 | -54.89 | -51.61 | $168,289,975 |
| 4DX | 4Dmedical Limited | 0.505 | -11.40 | -18.55 | 48.53 | -9.82 | $174,533,726 |
| SOM | SomnoMed Limited | 0.580 | -12.12 | -28.65 | -41.40 | -54.40 | $57,465,957 |
| IRX | Inhalerx Limited | 0.042 | -14.29 | -6.67 | -16.00 | -30.00 | $7,970,212 |
| NSB | Neuroscientific | 0.080 | -15.79 | -11.11 | 6.67 | -11.11 | $11,568,390 |
| KZA | Kazia Therapeutics | 0.140 | -17.65 | -3.45 | 0.00 | -26.32 | $33,088,912 |
| IVX | Invion Ltd | 0.004 | -20.00 | -20.00 | -50.00 | -68.00 | $25,686,529 |
| RNO | Rhinomed Ltd | 0.039 | -22.00 | -48.00 | -55.68 | -75.63 | $11,143,068 |
| ADR | Adherium Ltd | 0.003 | -25.00 | -25.00 | -14.29 | -50.00 | $14,998,225 |
| BOT | Botanix Pharma Ltd | 0.140 | -30.00 | -24.32 | 40.00 | 122.22 | $198,967,554 |
Painchek rose more than 40% over the past week on no specific announcements.
The company has subsequently received a speeding ticket query from the ASX, to which it responded by saying it has adhered to the continuous disclosure requirements, and had no idea why the share price had surged.
Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG)
GTG says that its expanded geneType Multi-Risk Test is now available to order in Australia.
The three new diseases – pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and atrial fibrillation – were approved for sale in Australia by the National Association of Testing Authority (NATA).
Following the approval, the geneType Multi-Risk Test now performs a total of nine individual serious disease risk assessments, all from the one simple saliva sample.
Separately, GTG announced that a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant has been awarded to a group of renowned national and international research and charity organisations.
The grant will provide funding for the CASSOWARY Trial – a trial aimed to investigate how funding for genomics-based cancer screening can be utilised in the future.
Biotron released a memo to shareholders in which it reported the progress of current clinical trials.
The company said it is in the final stage of three Phase 2 clinical trials for HIV‐1 and COVID‐19.
According to Biotron, this is a pivotal time for the company as it completes data collection and analyses of samples ahead of release of headline data in coming weeks.
The data could “put the company in a very strong position”, says Biotron.
“These data, if positive, will be central to successfully negotiating and completing a commercial transaction for the company’s HIV‐1 and COVID‐19 clinical programs.”
Actinogen announced changes to the design of the XanaMIA Phase 2b trial in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease – in order to reduce the cost and time to initial results.
Initially, the FDA-approved three-arm trial was designed to explore two dose levels, in what is called ‘dose-ranging’.
Actinogen says the new design will keep the same endpoints, 36-week treatment length and other features, with the exception of dose-ranging.
The company says removal of the 5mg dose group – while deferring the dose-ranging aspect of the Xanamem program to the Phase 3 trial – does not detract from the strong confirmatory value of the trial design.
Changes in the new trial design include: 10mg or placebo daily versus 10mg, 5mg or placebo previously; and 220 patients vs 330 patients previously.
Global Health secured a contract to implement its MasterCare PAS, HotHealth Digital Front Door and FHIR integration platforms at the Adeney Private Hospital which is currently under development in Melbourne.
Adeney Private Hospital will pioneer the zero-gap model in Australia, ensuring privately insured patients are exempt from additional expenses.
The state-of-the-art facility includes 5 theatres, 30 beds, and 12 oncology chairs, providing exceptional care for short-stay patient.
Medibank Private has partnered with local doctors in the new facility due to open in July 2024.
The cannabis focused biotech plunged 30% after receiving a Complete Response Letter from the US FDA in relation to its NDA submission for Sofpironium Bromide gel, 15%.
The FDA has requested changes to the product use instructions – a paper inserted in the product carton that tells the patient how to safely and effectively use it.
However, no clinical efficacy, safety, pharmacology, non-clinical or manufacturing issues were raised by the FDA, and no additional clinical studies are required to support approval.
Botanix will now meet with the FDA and undertake the relatively minor activities required to address the product use instructions, and resubmit the NDA by the first quarter of 2024 with a target approval of mid-year.
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