Mibelle Biochemistry is a Swiss company that specializes in the research & development of innovative active ingredients for the cosmetic industry. It was founded in 1991 as a profit center from Mibelle Cosmetics, the largest cosmetic manufacturer in Switzerland. All its actives are based on naturally derived compounds and profound scientific know-how.
Back to 1991
Mibelle Biochemistry’s remarkable story began with Dr. Fred Zülli leading the company forward in his position as head of this innovative business unit.
Working with a small team of just two Lab Technicians and Franz Suter as Production Manager, the team successfully developed CM-Glucan, which in turn was launched in 1994. This was Mibelle Biochemistry’s first ever active and even seventeen years down the line remains one of its top selling active ingredients. It is predominantly used for dermatological formulations and for sensitive skin due to its immune-stimulating and soothing properties.
And the progress 1994 was not limited to CM-Glucan. In the same year, Mibelle Biochemistry started to export its products, with the help of regional distributors in Italy, South Korea, Germany and the Benelux region.
Meanwhile, in 1998, Esther Belser joined the company as a Project Manager and took charge of developing GSP-T. This is a powerful anti-oxidant to substantiate many strong claims on skin and hair. Nowadays Esther is responsible for the innovation process.
Just two years later, Dr. Daniel Schmid joined the com-pany in the role of a Research Manager. He was mainly involved in the development of Lipobelle Soyaglycone and Iso-SlimComplex, the high performing isoflavone actives. Lipobelle Soyaglycone is Mibelle Biochemistry’s star product for combating post-menopausal skin aging.
On the other hand, Iso-SlimComplex, which impressively reduces cellulite by 37% in just 6 weeks, continues to lead the way in terms of its outstanding performance even today.
Worldwide expansion
Obviously, Mibelle Biochemistry was aware that merely expanding its range of products could not be its only objective – this had to be backed up with the goal of increasing the distribution and introducing new approaches in terms of marketing. To achieve these goals, in 2002, Beata Hurst was appointed as Sales & Marketing Manager. In the same year Dr. Cornelia Schürch was appointed as Development Manager.
Amongst her responsibilities are the management of the growing complex processes for new product developments as well as those of a regulatory nature.
Since 2003, the company has grown significantly with each passing year. Amongst its highly innovative product launches since then were AquaCacteen, an ECOCERT certified soothing and hydrating extract of prickly pears; Helioguard 365 – a natural UV-A screening compound to prevent photo-aging; the innovation award winning
MelanoBronze; SulforaWhite – a phyto agent for visible skin lightening; Delentigo™ to fade away age spots.
And these have been supplemented with a number of ECOCERT certified actives, such as LIPerfection for voluminous lips or Sunflower Shoot Active – a natural alternative to Q10.
Innovation Prize
One of Mibelle Biochemistry’s major successes was unquestionably the launch of the award winning PhytoCellTec™ Malus Domestica in 2008. This was the very first active based on plant stem cells delivering proven efficacy on skin stem cells. In just a short space of time it has become renowned throughout the world and indeed counts Michelle Obama amongst its many prominent users. Furthermore, based on the same innovative bio-technology, in the years that followed, the crew expanded its PhytoCellTec™ range with actives based on grape stem cells that successfully protect the skin stem cells’ from photo-aging, and alpine rose stem cells which charge skin stem cells resistance.
Paris – Buenos Aires
With the aim of maximizing customer service in France, in 2009 Mibelle Biochemistry opened its very own branch office in Paris. This enabled Elodie Mauger, Product and Sales Manager, as well as Vincent Briffaut, Sales Manager, to personally take care of French customers. Furthermore, in the same year, the company commenced the distribution of its product line in South America. For this Dr. Irene Montaño was appointed as Sales Manager for the region.
Meanwhile, in 2010, the research team welcomed aboard Dr. Frank Gafner, a Senior Scientist, responsible for finding interesting new plant molecules for new applications.
2011, just 20 years later, Mibelle Biochemistry’s broad line of actives is now available in over 50 countries and its brand is renowned throughout the world. However, never ones to ‘rest on their laurels’, in 2011 – Mibelle Biochemistry’s 20th anniversary year, the company launched not one but two award winning actives:
Not one, but two awards in 2011
The first is PhytoCellTec™ Argan, which is the very first active with proven efficacy on DERMAL stem cells, targeting now a deeper skin layer. As the dermal stem cells determine the firmness of the skin and play an important role in wound healing, PhytoCellTec™ Argan is aimed at achieving fundamental skin rejuvenation. This development was honoured with a BSB innovation prize during the in-cosmetics exhibition in the category ‘best active ingredient’.
In addition, on 29 September 2011, SunActin – an intelligent cell protecting factor – was awarded with the Frost & Sullivan’s innovation prize for the ‘best dermatological active’.
Such public recognition and positive reactions from throughout the world clearly illustrate the remarkable level of creativity and dedication of Dr. Fred Zülli’s team, which has grown to 30 members over the 20 years. Operating with its collective principles of innovation, anticipating needs, responsibility and delivering quality, it is happy to see its customer base increase year for year. And without question, these principles and the world-wide recognition will inspire the team to continue its relentless efforts towards achieving the best-in-class pursuit of active ingredients.
And how does Dr. Fred Zülli see the next 20 years? “Well, our team mission will be to continue to design the most innovative actives for the cosmetic industry, which together encompass both outstanding performances with substantiated claims and novel applications that are accompanied by inspiring marketing stories. With our strategic, forward thinking culture of innovation, we are confident that we will continue to meet the market needs of both today and the future. And we look forward to working closely with you for many years to come”.
For more information contact
Beata Hurst
Marketing & Sales Manager
Phone +41 (0)62 836 17 46
Fax +41 (0)62 836 14 05
beata.hurst@mibelle.ch
Mibelle AG Biochemistry, 5033 Buchs/Switzerland, Phone +41 (0) 62 836 17 31, www.mibellebiochemistry.com
