Driving innovation: Shiseido extends research alliance with Harvard-affiliated dermatology lab

CBRC director, David E. Fisher, said: “We are proud to celebrate 30 years of important discoveries by our scientists working together, and look forward to continued progress in optimising all aspects of skin health and wellbeing.”​

Executive vice president, Yoichi Shimatani, added: “We will continue to create innovation with the CBRC, a state-of-the-art laboratory that symbolises our open innovation activities.”​

Harvard Medical School Dermatology Research Labs and Massachusetts General Hospital established CBRC in 1989. It is considered to be a leading laboratory in the field of dermatology.

Shiseido’s president and CEO, Masahiko Uotani, said CBRC has been an “indispensable and important”​ partner.

“In our quest to remain vital for the next 100 years and beyond, this year, we at Shiseido created a new corporate mission to create ‘Beauty innovations for a better world.’ Ongoing efforts to foster innovation is our responsibility and mission to make this world better through the power of beauty.”​

Yoichi Shimatani echoed his sentiments: “It has been 30 years since we began our partnership with the CBRC. We have delivered many outstanding research achievements, more than we had initially imagined, realising ideal collaboration between laboratories in academia and a company.”​

Focus on UV rays and ageing

Collaborative efforts between the firm and the research lab have resulted in innovative product research as well as several developments in skin and hair science.

This includes the discovery of the relationship between photo-ageing and skin lymphatic vessel functions, and the mechanism of pigment cell activation in hair.

The aim of the renewed collaboration is to study the relationship between ultraviolet (UV) rays and skin ageing as well as develop new cosmetic products.

In addition to the research and development efforts, Shiseido and CRBC plan to work together to educate consumers on the maintenance of skin care, such as basic knowledge on UV rays and the impact of photoageing through seminars and symposiums.

“The Shiseido-CBRC relationship is a source of immense pride to Dermatology at Mass General Hospital [and] Harvard Medical School. Close collaboration at the cutting edge of science is the shared mission, and numerous significant discoveries continue to be made through common efforts,” ​said Fisher.

Shiseido previously renewed its partnership with CRBC in 2015, with the aim of fulfilling its VISION2020 strategy.