Evocutis launches testing panel for anti-acne ingredients
Evocutis has launched a panel of 36 strains of Propionibacterium acnes
Evocutis has expanded its range of facial care ingredient testing services with the launch of a highly defined panel of 36 strains of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), developed for the testing during the research and development of anti-acne and anti-spot products.
The new panel includes strains resistant to antibiotics commonly used in treating acne which will enable healthcare and pharmaceutical companies developing anti-acne or anti-spot ingredients or products to assess whether the ingredients are able to help reduce antibiotic resistance.
Evocutis said the panel provides a more reliable R&D selection tool; while the testing of anti-acne and blemish reduction products for antimicrobial activity against P. acnes is a recognised method for determining potential efficacy, it is usually performed against a single strain.
“This panel of strains has been specially selected to reflect current and historical populations of P. acnes and the gradual evolution of antibiotic resistance in P. acnes in response to widespread use of antibiotics to treat acne over the last three decades,” said Dr Richard Bojar, chief scientific officer of Evocutis.
“Fortunately manufacturers are now responding to the need for new acne treatments that contain an antimicrobial rather than an antibiotic action, which will help reduce P. acnes on the skin without selecting for antibiotic resistant strains. This broad-ranging panel of diverse P. acnes strains will allow both ingredients and formulations to be evaluated under standardised conditions and provide the impetus for product development.”