Having worked with Cutech since 2003, Symrise is hoping to draw on its expertise in the development of preclinical screening assays and on the discovery of innovative actives - focusing now on harnessing the natural benefits of marine ingredients.
Researching mainly on dysfunctions of the hair and skin, Symrise will make use of the six scientists and two application technologists that make up the Italian company.
They will use its knowledge in order to consolidate and further its position as the fourth leading flavours and fragrance provider worldwide.
The new partnership comes at a time when there is a hive of activity surrounding marine derived ingredients, speaking at In Cosmetics in Paris, Cathy Laporte marketing manager for the show, said, "" Marine based activity is obviously a growing trend in the cosmetics industry, made apparent by the number of ingredient manufacturers promoting such products at the show".
Many companies are now making use of the growing need to look younger through natural and organic means, with marine biotechnology said to be one of the best ways to help ageing, inflammation, stop free radicals and slow the degradation of the skin.
Symrise has mirrored this, stating that the new partnership with Cutech will help it to continue to 'expand its core competence in natural active ingredients that are derived from sustainable resources'.
Atrium Biotechnologies has also created a new derived product named Homeosta-Sea, said to be the 'marine solution for skin homeostasis'.
The product contains four ingredients taken from different parts of the algae, which alone or in combination aid skin health and appearance.
The four components, Homeo-Sheild, Homeo-Age, Homeoxy and Homeo-Soothe, come from brown algae and brown seaweed found in the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of Brittany, France.
Said to be rich in vitamins and minerals, and the seaweed known to tolerate desiccation, temperature variations and high saline water, the components make up a product that could possibly ignite the growing trend - enticing manufacturers with its multi-functional skin care properties.
Symrise is also working on developing an alternative animal testing method with Cutech, a topic that has been prominent news in the cosmetics industry.
Both companies used a long-term organ culture of pig-skin, with researchers preserving the tissue for up to three weeks.
This resulted in the new skin model bearing a resemblance to natural human skin.
The companies are thus suggesting that it is an opportunity for them to test the efficacy of active ingredients in vitro.
Whilst also acting as an alternative to animal testing and synthetically generated skin models.