L'Oréal has made a minority investment in PAM2L Biotechnologies (PAM2L), an artificial intelligence (AI)-native biomaterials R&D and application company in China.
The investment was made through Shanghai Meicifang Investment Co, with support from L'Oréal’s strategic corporate venture capital fund BOLD (Business Opportunities for L’Oréal Development).
L'Oréal said it will leverage its beauty and formulation expertise to explore the broader scientific value of innovative bio-actives, including Augmented Colanic Acid, which is already incorporated into L'Oréal Paris' Age Perfect Collagen Royal Series.
PAM2L was also a L’Oréal Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program winner in 2024.
Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO of L'Oréal Groupe in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology, said: “Our investment in PAM2L marks a decisive new chapter in our commitment to leveraging the vibrant ecosystem of AI-enabled biotechnology in China.
“By merging L’Oréal’s 116 years of scientific mastery with PAM2L’s pioneering biotech and AI expertise, this collaboration will accelerate the development of high-performing bio-based ingredients, specifically within the promising frontier of longevity.
“Together, we are co-designing the next-generation of beauty breakthroughs to enhance the lives of our consumers worldwide.”
L'Oréal was among several brands which led a funding round for Shenzhen Boyin Biotechnology, the company behind the Chinese biomaterials start-up PAM2.
The French beauty giant was joined by Walgreens Boots Alliance, alongside pharmaceutical and health care conglomerate Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group and capital investment company Guangxin Group.
Vincent Boinay, President of L'Oréal North Asia Zone and CEO of L'Oréal China, added: “We firmly believe in the immense innovation potential of the Chinese market.
“Our investment in PAM2L is a concrete step in our long-term dedication to growing hand-in-hand with China’s open innovation landscape.
“We first connected with PAM2L through the Big Bang, and we are impressed by their leading capabilities in systematically developing innovative biomolecules.”
PAM2L was founded in 2021 by Dr Zhong Chao, a researcher from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The company utilises an integrated technology platform combining high-throughput synthetic biology and AI to develop next-generation biomaterials with novel functionalities.
Chao, the founder and chief scientist of PAM2L Biotechnologies, continued: “L'Oréal is a global leader in beauty technology with 116 years of scientific excellence.
“Partnering with L'Oréal will accelerate our path from lab to market.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with L'Oréal, bringing biomaterials innovation to empower the global beauty and health industries, and together shaping new possibilities for beauty in the era of longevity.”
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