Debut’s AI Discovery Platform, BeautyORB™
We discover superior, natural and novel ingredients via AI and human intelligence. Debuthas developed pharmaceutical-grade AI/ML technology to accelerate the discovery ofnovel ingredients for novel claims and high-performance formulations. Our advanceddiscovery platform, BeautyORB™, uncovers new molecular pathways in health andwellbeing that enable the creation of high-performance products and superior claims.
- Let’s dive into Discovery. BeautyORB™ is an AI/ML platform that learns from ourown proprietary, large-scale functional genomics data collected using a chemically-diverse library of ingredients. Generative AI models can predict the impact novelmolecules will have on gene expression signatures. These can be aligned withpredicted health effects to create ingredients with targeted claims. With oursophisticated bidirectional AI models, the reverse is also true, and we can start withclaims 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 thousands ofbioactive and uncharacterized molecules. Responses of 30,000 human genes canbe precisely measured across thousands of bioactive small molecules inbiologically-relevant cell culture models under automation and heightened control.
To ensure accuracy in capturing epidermal response to ingredients, Debut uses anexperimentally validated skin culture model. - Now, let’s bring our discoveries to the world. BeautyORB™ possesses the resultingquantitative structural activity relationship (QSAR) models that help predictbioactivity of potential ingredients solely based on their molecular structure andenable rapid discovery of bioactives from a collection of billions of synthesizablesmall molecules. Predicted hits from the in silico screen then undergo extensivevalidation, skincare-relevant functional studies, safety testing, formulationdevelopment, and clinical evaluation before reaching the market.
Biosynthesis: Metabolic Engineering and Protein Engineering
Debut adopts an agnostic approach to produce high-performance molecules by utilizingeither engineered microbial strains or optimized enzymes in cell-free reactions. Enzymesand pathways are meticulously engineered to enhance efficiency for microbial and cell-free systems. High-throughput Screening (HTS) enables our rapid progress.
- Higher-performing ingredients, once discovered, need to be produced sustainablyand economically for intended markets. Enter Debut’s Metabolic Engineeringteam. Our biologists metabolically engineer ingredient-producing enzymes intomicrobial cell hosts, such as microbes or yeast, for precision fermentation. This isaccomplished through a series of Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycles that aim tomaximize production of the compound-of-interest while maintaining growth of thehost organism. Some of the key activities include: (a) assembling pathways ofenzymes that transform lower-cost precursor molecules into the final product; (b)balancing biosynthetic pathways via optimal dosing of biosynthetic enzymes while,at the same time, deleting competing pathways through genome engineering; and(c) developing predictive assays that identify hits for the subsequent rounds ofengineering.
- Enzyme Engineering at Debut focuses on the discovery and engineering ofenzymes, the protein catalysts required to perform each step of a natural pathwayfor ingredient biosynthesis. Additionally, we also create enzymes for functions thatdon't exist in nature by engineering proteins for new activities. Enzymes areengineered to be highly efficient and optimized for industrial manufacturing. Wedeliver enzymes for both Cell-Based (fermentation of metabolically engineeredhosts) and Cell-Free processes that microbial hosts cannot scale to execute. Wework closely with the Metabolic Engineering group to discover and optimizeenzymes for their strains, and we also optimize and scale up cell-free enzymaticprocesses. We have capabilities in high-throughput screening, bioinformatics, andenzyme immobilization, among other technologies, and we study enzymemechanisms and kinetics to accelerate enzyme engineering and processdevelopment activities. Our efforts create biomanufacturing routes to newingredients and then drive down their cost of manufacturing.
- High-throughput screening (HTS) methods enable rapid identification of optimalstrains and enzymes during the engineering process. Once our strains and enzymelibraries are built, we need to get feedback on how each modification impactsproduction. This is the primary goal of HTS at Debut: to develop and screen plate-based assays that predict how enzyme modifications improve performance andhow strains will perform in tanks. Temperature, pH, substrate concentrations, mediacomponents, aeration and culturing parameters all impact enzyme performanceand growth of a healthy culture. Our strain ‘hits’ from these assays get validated infermentation tanks for selection of our final production hosts. This process oftranslating between plates and tanks is iterative in nature, creating DBTL cycles thatrefine and improve our predictive power.
Biomanufacturing: Fermentation, DSP , Commercialization
On-site fermentation tanks ranging from 2L to 100L allow for the fermentation processdevelopment and optimization, scaleup and pilot-scale ingredient production. Duringthese processes, enough material can be made for testing. Then, Downstream Processing(DSP) isolates ingredients for formulation.
- Lab Bench-Scale Fermentation (2L) is a crucial bridge between strain research andcommercial biomanufacturing. Scalable fermentation processes are developed byworking closely with Analytics, Metabolic Engineering, Enzyme Catalysis, DSP , andthe Pilot Plant. From generating data for strain optimization and media developmentto improving fermentations driven by DoE and DBTL for scale-up engineering in ouron-site Pilot Plant to producing materials for DSP , the team is dedicated toprecision, efficiency, and innovation. By simulating large-scale conditions,troubleshooting processes, and testing new microbial hosts, the Bench-Scale teamensures scalable, commercially viable solutions that empower the company'smission to deliver groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology.
- Commercial-Scale Fermentation starts in our Pilot Plant where the process foringredient production is scaled up. Ingredients are ultimately made via our networkof CMOs. Process and Commercialization at Debut transforms the innovations anddiscoveries in R&D to robust, scalable ingredient production processes that meet orexceed customer specifications. Upstream and Downstream process developmentteams work closely with Metabolic Engineering, Small Scale Fermentation, EnzymeCatalysis, Analytics, Formulations, Equipment and Data Systems Engineering,Quality and Regulatory to design, build and test scale-relevant processes using ouronsite pilot fermentation and DSP laboratories. The resulting manufacturingprocesses are then transferred to our global manufacturing network, wherescientists and engineers accompany our Supply Chain and CMO management toensure processes are transferred and executed smoothly. Campaigns are plannedand executed according to ingredient demand using sites and technology that meetour production cost and volume targets.
- Downstream Process (DSP) plays a critical role in transforming laboratorydiscoveries into scalable, commercially viable products. We develop, optimize,scale-up, and transfer purification processes for beauty ingredients generated fromcomplex biological matrices, such as fermentation broths or cell-free reactionsystems. DSP processes are cost-effective, efficient, scalable and ensure productsmeet required specifications while maximizing yield and throughput. To achievethis, the team utilizes scale-relevant separation methods and chemical purificationtechniques, including centrifugation, filtration, extraction, precipitation,crystallization, and drying. These steps are tailored to the chemical and physicalproperties of the beauty ingredient to ensure optimal performance. DSP is part ofour CMO management, overseeing process technology transfer to our globalmanufacturing network, supporting them through scale-up and manufacturingphases. This includes on-site support during manufacturing campaigns andtroubleshooting any technical hurdles to ensure process fit and success. Ultimately,DSP is vital to enabling Debut to bring our innovative, clinically-backed, functionalingredients to market.
Commercialization
Novel, clinically-proven ingredients are formulated into customized, finished productsacross multiple categories, targeting specific benefits, aesthetics and applications. Inaddition to unique textures, Debut specializes in creating formulas that are made with 95%bio-based raw materials to decrease reliance on unsustainable petrochemical-derived andcultivated materials.
- The Formulation lab is the final piece in the vertical integration process that blendsthe worlds of biotechnology and beauty. Debut's formulation team utilizes the novelingredients uncovered by BeautyORB™ along with cutting-edge science, cosmeticchemistry, and ingredient technology skills to incorporate the novel actives intoeffective, targeted formulations that simplify and solve the diverse challenges topromoting 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 showcasing our firstproprietary, biotech-produced molecule Naringenin. Naringenin was originallyidentified as a potent, anti-inflammaging active by the ingredient discovery teamafter screening 7,000+ polyphenols. Following successful characterization andproven clinical efficacy, metabolic engineering and fermentation teams identified abiomanufacturing process to produce Naringenin by biotechnology and avoid theenergy-intensive process to extract the material from grapefruit peels, where it isnaturally found. Once produced, Naringenin is sent to the formulation lab where it isincorporated into luxurious formulas with clinically-proven efficacy.
- BiotechXBeautyLabs™ develops custom and white-label formulations for our brandpartners. With our proven ingredient discovery and formulation platforms, we canincorporate novel, efficacious, active ingredients into customized formulations tooffer next-generation beauty solutions that are science-driven, sustainably sound,and aesthetically optimized.
