What HTL Biotechnology does

HTL Biotechnology is a French specialty biotech company founded in 1992 and headquartered in Javené, France, with 251-500 employees. The company manufactures Hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) and other biological polymers via bacterial fermentation, and serves cosmetic, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement end-markets with a B2B raw materials and ingredients model. Its core product lines include HA-based dermatological fillers, ophthalmic solutions, and skincare formulations, as well as recombinant proteins developed through its acquired platform.

In May 2024, HTL acquired Modern Meadow's human recombinant collagen platform, adding human recombinant collagen Type III to its portfolio and establishing transatlantic R&D and production capabilities (US development, European manufacturing). This acquisition expanded the company into vegan and human-identical collagen alternatives, targeting growing demand for sustainable, non-animal-derived biopolymers in cosmetic and medical applications. The company also participated as a minority investor in GelMEDIX's $13 million seed round in February 2026, signaling strategic interest in ophthalmic regenerative therapy applications.

HTL operates as a privately held company with no disclosed parent or institutional investor backing, and is led by CEO Yvon Bastard, COO Cyril Picault, and Group CFO Susanne Liepmann. Revenue, pricing, and customer concentration data are not publicly disclosed. The company competes in the global HA raw material market (valued at USD 7.85 billion in 2025, growing at 4.62% CAGR) alongside peers such as Bloomage Biotech and Seikagaku Corporation.

Name

HTL Biotechnology

Legal name

HTL Biotechnology

Website

https://htl-bio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HTL Biotechnology is a French biotech founded in 1992 that manufactures Hyaluronan and biological polymers via bacterial fermentation, serving cosmetic, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and dietary supplement manufacturers with HA-based products and recombinant collagen ingredients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopolymers

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Raw Materials & Critical Reagents Supply (Media/Resins/Cytokines) (HLAGAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Wound Healing & Skin Regeneration (advanced dressings, skin substitutes) (HLAAAGAG)

Keywords

• Biopolymer manufacturing
• Hyaluronic acid production
• Recombinant collagen
• Biomedical ingredients
• Cosmetic raw materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Javené

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Core offering

HTL Biotechnology manufactures and conducts R&D on Hyaluronan and other biological polymers produced by bacterial fermentation. The company supplies hyaluronic acid-based products (dermatological fillers, ophthalmic solutions, skincare formulations) and recombinant proteins including human recombinant collagen type III to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and dietary supplement industries.

Product overview

HTL Biotechnology is a French biotech company offering a portfolio of biopolymers for beauty and biomedical applications. The company's product portfolio centers on recombinant collagen proteins (acquired from Modern Meadow including human recombinant collagen type III) and hyaluronic acid-based products (including dermatological fillers, ophthalmic solutions, and skincare formulations). The products serve cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Human Recombinant Collagen Type III
• Hyaluronic Acid-based Products
• Recombinant Proteins

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Modern MeadowcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024HTL Biotechnology acquired Modern Meadow's human recombinant collagen platform including recombinant proteins and expert team. This acquisition enhances HTL's portfolio with human recombinant collagen type III products, developed in the US and produced in Europe, targeting cosmetic and medical markets. The deal closed in May 2024 with effects extending into 2025-26.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bloomage Biotech: Chinese biotechnology company and the world's largest hyaluronic acid producer. Directly comparable to HTL as both companies manufacture fermentation-derived HA raw materials for cosmetics, medical, and pharmaceutical applications, and are identified together as the leading players in the global HA market.
• Seikagaku Corporation: Japanese biopharmaceutical company specializing in hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan-based products. Directly comparable to HTL as both produce fermentation-derived HA for medical, pharmaceutical, and health applications, and are co-listed as key global HA raw material market players.
• Contipro: Czech manufacturer of hyaluronic acid and biopolymers for cosmetic, medical, and pharmaceutical use. Directly comparable to HTL as a European fermentation-based HA producer with overlapping product portfolio in skincare, wound care, and tissue engineering.
• Lifecore Biomedical: US-based manufacturer of premium hyaluronic acid and other biopolymers for medical and aesthetic applications. Comparable to HTL as a fermentation-based HA producer serving injectable, ophthalmic, and orthopedic end markets.

Broad incumbents

• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals company with a portfolio that includes biotech-derived polymers and active ingredients for cosmetics and pharma. Comparable to HTL as a large, diversified supplier serving overlapping end markets in beauty and biomedical applications, though HA is not its core focus.
• Galderma: Global dermatology company offering dermal fillers and aesthetic skincare products, including HA-based injectables. Comparable to HTL as a major buyer and end-user of HA raw materials in the aesthetics/dermatology market, representing both a customer and a downstream competitor.
• Corbion: Dutch ingredient supplier specializing in fermentation-based food ingredients and bio-based materials, including lactic acid derivatives used in biopolymers. Comparable to HTL in its reliance on industrial fermentation technology and serving cosmetic/personal care end markets.
• Novozymes (Novonesis): Global leader in industrial enzymes and microbial fermentation, with applications in pharma, cosmetics, and food. Comparable to HTL as a fermentation-derived bioproducts platform serving overlapping biotech and ingredient end markets.
• Croda International: UK specialty ingredients company with a substantial personal care and life sciences portfolio, including bioactive and polymer ingredients. Comparable to HTL as a supplier of specialty ingredients to cosmetic and pharmaceutical multinationals.

Emerging players

• GelMEDIX: Cambridge, MA-based regenerative medicine startup developing hydrogel-based therapies for vision restoration, with which HTL is a strategic investor. Comparable to HTL through the application of biopolymer/hydrogel technology in ophthalmic and biomedical indications, representing both a portfolio investment and an emerging application of HTL's core competencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HTL Biotechnology