In-Q-Tel, the venture capital affiliate of US intelligence agency CIA, has provided an undisclosed amount of funding to US-based cosmetics producer Skincential Sciences, according to the Intercept.
Founded in 2010, Skincential has developed technology to painlessly brush off a thin outer layer of a person’s skin, making it look more youthful while also being able to collect a person’s DNA. The product consists of a mixture of water and a special detergent.
The company was originally launched as DX Biosciences and is commercialising research by researchers of University of California, Santa Barbara and MIT. It pivoted to a beauty company in 2013.
Skincential’s technology also has potential applications for medical diagnostics such as early detection of skin cancer.
Skincential previously secured an undisclosed amount of funding from VC firm Frontier, according to the latter’s website.
Russ Lebovitz, chief executive of Skincential Sciences, said: “If there is something beneath the surface, that is not part of our relationship and I am not directly aware. They are interested here in something that can get easy access to biomarkers.”
– This article first appeared on our sister site Global Government Venturing.
