January 12, 2004

By: April Tom
Website: http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com

Alabama Biotech stimulus: Skin care company in Huntsville; marketing& management firm in Vestavia Hills

IntegriDerm, a new biotechnology company focusing on skin care products, has entered into a strategic alliance with Alabama's largest biotech company, Research Genetics-Inc. in Huntsville.

IntegriDerm will develop innovative scientifically-based skin care products aimed at adding quality and luster to the cosmetic industry, as well as developing new topical dermatologic drugs. IntegriDerm, a name emphasizing integrity through high quality research in dermatology, is positioned to take advantage of Research Genetics' strong position in genomic research products and services. The new company will be incubated within 5,000 sq. ft. of space in Research Genetics' facilities in Huntsville.

The President and Co-Founder of IntegriDerm is Dr. Thomas P. Dooley, Ph.D., who has recently served as the Alabama Power Company Endowed Chair and Director of Molecular Pharmacology at Southern Research Institute, and as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Co-Founder is Jim Hudson, M.S., who in 1987 started Research Genetics, a leader in the human genome research field with $20 million in annual sales.

"The core interests of IntegriDerm are threefold: the application of genomic research in dermatology; discovery of novel active ingredients for use in skin care products, such as skin lighteners and hair growth regulators; and producing quality skin care products for consumers." Dooley says. "We expect to have our first products rollout within 18 months."

According to Hudson, "By combining our capabilities in molecular biology, genomics, and dermatologic drug discovery, we anticipate that IntegriDerm will be able to translate laboratory discoveries into marketable products." Since the new company will be product driven, the founders intend for it to be profitable more rapidly than typical biotech companies. IntegriDerm plans to generate revenues from product sales to consumers and to other major corporations working within the skin care industry, and will likely include additional corporate alliance agreements.

Product marketing and promotions will be directed by ALtruis, LLC, the second new company founded by Dooley and Hudson. It will be based in Vestavia Hills, south of Birmingham, and will also be directed by Dr. Dooley. In addition, ALtruis will provide management services and identify capital financing for IntegriDerm and other future subsidiary biomedical companies. The mission of ALtruis, a name denoting an Alabama-based company with altruistic intentions, will be to bolster economic development of biotech and biomedical companies in Alabama and the Southeast. The management and marketing services company will feature a range of graphic services and an emphasis on Internet-based promotions and sales.

Dr. Dooley brings to IntegriDerm over a decade of relevant experience in research focusing on cosmeceuticals, or hybrids between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cosmeceuticals are topical skin care products containing active ingredients intended primarily for beauty enhancement. Depending on the country in which they are marketed and the products' labeling claims, they can be sold either as cosmetics or as drugs. Unlike drugs, which require extensive and costly US Food & Drug Administration review and approval before marketing, cosmetics do not require FDA approval. IntegriDerm will take advantage of this distinction whenever possible.

Dooley, a former research scientist at the pharmaceutical firm - The Upjohn Company - has conducted research on Minoxidil, the active ingredient found in the hair growth stimulant RogaineR. In addition, his laboratory has discovered a pigmentation inhibitor, Methyl Gentisate, which is potentially useful as a skin lightening agent for pigmentation conditions such as age spots. IntegriDerm's cosmeceutical products will emphasize scientifically-validated, high-quality, safe and active ingredients. The consumer skin care products will focus on natural ingredients and simplified formulations, whenever feasible.

Prior to starting these new companies Hudson and Dooley have worked together closely in biotech economic development, as officers of the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Association of Alabama (BAA), the not-for-profit organization representing the state's biomedical companies and academic institutions. The BAA held its first annual conference in September, and one of the guests in attendance was Ray Briscuso, the Executive Director of the Biotechnology Industry Organization in Washington, DC, of which BAA is a state affiliate. According to Briscuso, "We are excited that more and more of the world class research and development currently being conducted throughout the state of Alabama is finding its way into commercial ventures. Alabama is home to a wealth of talent and potential, and the actions by Tom and Jim to launch these two new companies should result in economic as well as quality of life improvements for Alabama and the world."

About The Author:

April Tom is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com.  Tips on skin care, hair care and beauty products to bring out natural beauty.