MeNow leverages artificial intelligence to discover new ways to use natural ingredients for various applications.
It was co-founded by CEO Dr. Hilla Ben-Hamo and CTO Dr. Coralie Ebert who sought to use AI to explore the vast potential of natural compounds.
Speaking on the Beauty 4.0 Podcasts, the founders expressed their interest in the ancient wisdom that has been passed down over generations.
“I think there’s a timeline, kind of a deadline, because traditional uses, ancestral knowledge are disappearing. There are less traditional doctors, no one is going to their grandma [for remedies] anymore. I think this is a shame because it is part of our history,” said Coralie.
“We still don’t understand the power of nature… but there are many things that have not even been tested,” added Hilla.
In 2023, MeNow partnered Green Mountain Biotech with the aim of shedding light on TCM materials, which would enable the development of high-performing natural products.
“TCM was the first one to really talk about the importance of combining ingredients… they were not very scientific, but they got something right and that is when you combine ingredients together, you may get this synergy – a one plus one equals three effect,” said Coralie.
With AI, the firm has been able to study thousands upon thousands of natural materials more efficiently and effectively, helping to save gruelling hours in a lab.
“I have a lot of experience running tests in the lab looking for active ingredients… and it was a lot of work. Now when you do it with AI it’s amazing – how could we spend so much time before? We can do it so easily now,” said Hilla.
She added that after testing hundred of plants, the firm now has over 200,000 active molecules in their system.
“Some are known, some were not. You could also have an ingredient that was known for one type of activity, but we found a completely different one. No one can really check in the lab for all of the conditions – that is the magic of AI.”
To find out more about Hilla and Coralie and their work with MeNow and AI, check out the podcast above.
