Our Capabilities

Let’s dive into Discovery. BeautyORB™ is an AI/ML platform that learns from our own proprietary, large-scale functional genomics data collected using a chemically diverse library of ingredients. Generative AI models can predict the impact novel molecules will have on gene expression signatures. These can be aligned with predicted health effects to create ingredients with targeted claims. With our sophisticated bidirectional AI models, the reverse is also true, and we can start with claims to find exceptional novel molecules for your brand.

At the heart of Debut's approach is a high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) platform that generates comprehensive gene expression data for bioactive and uncharacterized molecules. Responses of 30,000 human genes can be precisely measured across bioactive small molecules in biologically-relevant cell culture models under automation and heightened control. To ensure accuracy in capturing epidermal response to ingredients, Debut uses an experimentally validated skin culture model.

Now, let’s bring our discoveries to the world. BeautyORB™ possesses the resulting quantitative structural activity relationship (QSAR) models that help predict bioactivity of potential ingredients solely based on their molecular structure and enable rapid discovery of bioactives from a collection of billions of synthesizable small molecules. Predicted hits from the in silico screen then undergo extensive validation, skincare-relevant functional studies, safety testing, formulation development, and clinical evaluation before reaching the market.

Debut’s Enzyme Engineering team discovers and designs the protein catalysts that power ingredient biosynthesis. We engineer enzymes for natural pathways and create entirely new activities beyond what exists in nature, optimizing them for efficiency and industrial manufacturing. Our enzymes support both cell-based and cell-free processes where microbial hosts may be limited. Working closely with the Metabolic Engineering team, we discover, optimize, and scale enzymes for strains and standalone processes. Our capabilities include high-throughput screening, bioinformatics, enzyme immobilization, and detailed studies of enzyme mechanisms and kinetics to accelerate development. These innovations enable new biomanufacturing routes and lower production costs for next-generation ingredients.

High-throughput screening (HTS) is essential to rapidly identify top-performing strains and enzymes during development. At Debut, we build strain and enzyme libraries, then develop plate-based assays to predict how modifications impact production performance. Key variables such as temperature, pH, substrate concentration, media components, aeration, and culturing parameters are carefully tuned. Strain "hits" from HTS are validated in fermentation tanks to select the best production hosts. This iterative DBTL process continually refines our ability to predict tank-scale success.

Lab Bench-Scale Fermentation (2L) is a crucial bridge between strain research and commercial biomanufacturing. Scalable fermentation processes are developed by working closely with Analytics, Metabolic Engineering, Enzyme Catalysis, DSP, and the Pilot Plant. From generating data for strain optimization and media development to improving fermentations driven by DoE and DBTL for scale-up engineering in our on-site Pilot Plant to producing materials for DSP, the team is dedicated to precision, efficiency, and innovation. By simulating large-scale conditions, troubleshooting processes, and testing new microbial hosts, the Bench-Scale team ensures scalable, commercially viable solutions that empower the company's mission to deliver groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology.

Commercial-Scale Fermentation starts in our Pilot Plant where the process for ingredient production is scaled up. Ingredients are ultimately made via our network of CMOs. Process and Commercialization at Debut transforms the innovations and discoveries in R&D to robust, scalable ingredient production processes that meet or exceed customer specifications. Upstream and Downstream process development teams work closely with Metabolic Engineering, Small Scale Fermentation, Enzyme Catalysis, Analytics, Formulations, Equipment and Data Systems Engineering, Quality and Regulatory to design, build and test scale-relevant processes using our onsite pilot fermentation and DSP laboratories. The resulting manufacturing processes are then transferred to our global manufacturing network where scientists and engineers accompany our Supply Chain and CMO management to ensure processes are transferred and executed smoothly. Campaigns are planned and executed according to ingredient demand using sites and technology that meet our production cost and volume targets.

Downstream Process (DSP) plays a critical role in transforming laboratory discoveries into scalable, commercially viable products. We develop, optimize, scale up, and transfer purification processes for beauty ingredients generated from complex biological matrices, such as fermentation broths or cell-free reaction systems. DSP processes are cost-effective, efficient, scalable and ensure products meet required specifications while maximizing yield and throughput. To achieve this, the team utilizes scale-relevant separation methods and chemical purification techniques, including centrifugation, filtration, extraction, precipitation, crystallization, and drying. These steps are tailored to the chemical and physical properties of the beauty ingredient to ensure optimal performance. DSP is part of our CMO management, overseeing process technology transfer to our global manufacturing network, supporting them through scale-up and manufacturing phases. This includes on-site support during manufacturing campaigns and troubleshooting any technical hurdles to ensure process fit and success. Ultimately, DSP is vital to enabling Debut to bring our innovative, clinically-backed, functional ingredients to market.

The Formulation lab is the final piece in the vertical integration process that blends the worlds of biotechnology and beauty. Debut's formulation team utilizes the novel ingredients uncovered by BeautyORB™ along with cutting-edge science, cosmetic chemistry, and ingredient technology skills to incorporate the novel actives into effective, targeted formulations that simplify and solve the diverse challenges to promoting healthy skin and hair for our customers.

DEINDE showcases the culmination of Debut's vertical integration pipeline. DEINDE is a cutting-edge brand at the forefront of biotech innovation featuring our first proprietary, biotech-produced molecule Naringenin. Naringenin was originally identified as a potent, anti-inflammaging active by the ingredient discovery team after screening 7,000+ polyphenols. Following successful characterization and proven clinical efficacy, metabolic engineering and fermentation teams identified a biomanufacturing process to produce Naringenin by biotechnology and avoid the energy-intensive process to extract the material from grapefruit peel, where it is naturally found. Once produced, Naringenin is sent to the formulation lab where it is incorporated into luxurious formulas with clinically-proven efficacy.

BiotechXBeautyLabs™ develops custom and white-label formulations for our brand partners. With our proven ingredient discovery and formulation platforms, we can incorporate novel, efficacious, active ingredients into customized formulations to offer next-generation beauty solutions that are science-driven, sustainably sound, and aesthetically optimized.