What Ascend Biotech does

Ascend Biotech (盛德百泰) is a privately held biotechnology company founded in 2018 in New Jersey, USA, operating as a subsidiary of SINO LION Group (中狮集团). The company develops and supplies high-activity functional ingredients for health supplement, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, personal care, home care, and pet care manufacturers, with its primary operating entity Nanjing Ascend Biotech Co., Ltd. (南京盛德百泰生物科技有限公司) headquartered in Nanjing, China. Its technology platform is built on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology — combining enzyme catalysis, fermentation, separation/purification, and gene editing to produce ingredients such as Vitamin K2 (MK-7, MK-4), plant-sourced Vitamin D3, N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), and a broad portfolio of personal care actives spanning amino acid derivatives, whitening agents, sunscreens, sensory agents, and encapsulated delivery systems.

The company has applied for over 70 invention patents (nearly 30 granted, including 4 international) and maintains an R&D team of 30+ Masters and PhD researchers supplemented by partnerships with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nankai University, Shandong University, and Tianjin University of Science and Technology. Notably, Ascend has secured three sequential NMPA novel cosmetic ingredient registrations — Vitamin K2 in October 2023, Phosphatidylserine in November 2023, and L-Homoserine in September 2024 — providing defensible regulatory exclusivity in the Chinese personal care market. Its products are marketed under multiple sub-brands including BioEssence, BioYoung, Evermild, EverGuard, Olesun, EverPro, and BioWhite, with disclosed purity benchmarks such as N-acetylneuraminic acid >98% and α-Arbutin >99.5%.

Ascend operates a B2B enterprise sales model with direct regional coverage across North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and China, supported by manufacturing in the USA, Thailand, and China and participation in major industry trade shows such as SupplySide Global 2025 and Vitafoods Europe 2025. Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure; revenue is generated through ingredient sales to brand owners and contract manufacturers. No financial figures, funding rounds, or named end-customers are publicly disclosed.

Name

Ascend Biotech

Legal name

南京盛德百泰生物科技有限公司

Website

https://ascend-biotech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ascend Biotech is a 2018-founded, SINO LION Group–owned biotechnology company that develops and supplies synthetic biology–derived functional ingredients — including vitamins, amino acid derivatives, and bioactive compounds — to health supplement, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and personal care manufacturers globally, with operations in the USA, Thailand, and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology functional ingredients

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-based Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals & Specialty Bioactives (EUAAAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Amino Acids & Peptides (BCAAs, Collagen Peptides, Bioactive Peptides, L-Theanine) (AFAJAKAG), Vitamins & Minerals (Single Nutrients) (CRADAGAB)

Keywords

• Functional food ingredients
• Personal care ingredients
• Synthetic biology platform
• Metabolic engineering biomanufacturing
• Vitamin and amino acid actives

Headquarters

HQ city

Florham Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Functional Ingredients B2B Sales: Supply of high-activity functional ingredients including vitamins (K2, D3), minerals, amino acids derivatives, and bioactive compounds to health supplement, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care manufacturers. Revenue is generated through product sales with no public pricing disclosed.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ascend Biotech develops and manufactures high-purity, bioavailable functional ingredients for the dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and personal care industries using metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Its portfolio spans nutritional ingredients (BioEssence™ Vitamin K2 MK-7/MK-4, Vegan D3, N-acetylneuraminic acid) and personal care actives (BioYoung™, BioWhite™, Evermild®, EverGuard®, AgeGuard®, Olesun®, EverPro® and related brands) covering skin barrier repair, whitening, anti-aging, sun care, moisturization, antibacterial, sensory and encapsulation functions. Products are sold B2B to global manufacturers via regional direct sales teams and industry trade-show channels.

Product overview

Ascend Biotech is a biotechnology company specializing in high-activity functional ingredients for the supplement, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. The company offers two main product lines: Food Business ingredients including BioEssence™ Vitamin K2 (MK-7 and MK-4), BioEssence™ Vegan D3, and BioEssence™ SA (N-acetylneuraminic acid/sialic acid) for bone health, heart health, and immune support; and Personal Care/Daily Chemical Business ingredients including BioYoung™ series (MK-7, PS, BFL, LFL, FGL-G) for skin barrier repair and microbiome care, BioWhite™ series (ABT, VCG, VCT) for skin whitening, Evermild® series (L-HS, L-ARG, PGA) for amino acid-based moisturizing and anti-aging, EverGuard® series (PL, CY) for antibacterial conditioning, Olesun® series (M, OT, DHHB) for broad-spectrum sunscreens, EverPro® series (LCY, ESA) for encapsulated delivery systems, and sensory agents like KOKO™ (ML-40, ML Plus) for cooling and SenseHot™ for warming effects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BioEssence®: Brand for functional food ingredients including Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3, and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Sialic Acid)
• BioYoung™
• Evermild®
• EverGuard®
• EverExtract®
• Everwhite™
• BioWhite®
• BioEase®
• Olesun®
• EverMap®
• Evertouch®
• Eversmooth™
• EverFrag™
• EverPro®
• Evermoist™
• AgeGuard®
• KOKO™
• SenseHot™
• Gemulo®
• OleEster™

Products and services

• BioEssence™ K2 MK-7 (Food) Natural Vitamin K2 MK-7 nutritional ingredient offering high stability and bioavailability for use by health supplement and nutraceutical manufacturers in bone and heart health formulations.
• BioEssence™ K2 MK-4 (Food) Highly active form of Vitamin K2 that activates osteocalcin and matrix Gla proteins, for use in bone health, heart health and immune-support supplements.
• BioEssence™ Vegan D3 Plant-sourced Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) nutritional fortifier for food and supplement manufacturers, supporting immune, bone and cardiovascular health.
• BioEssence™ SA (N-Acetylneuraminic Acid / Sialic Acid) Synthetic-biology-produced N-acetylneuraminic acid (>98% purity) with FDA GRAS and China novel-food approval, used in supplements for brain development, cognitive and immune support.
• BioYoung™ MK-7 (Personal Care Vitamin K2) Vitamin K2 MK-7 (>90% purity by fermentation) registered as a Chinese new cosmetic ingredient for skin barrier repair, mitochondrial function repair and dark-circle improvement in skincare formulations.
• BioYoung™ PS (Phosphatidylserine Skin Penetration Enhancer) Biocatalytically produced Phosphatidylserine used as a carrier that affects penetration depth of other active ingredients; registered as a Chinese new cosmetic ingredient.
• Evermild® L-HS (L-Homoserine) Natural moisturizing factor amino acid that enhances skin barrier function and water retention, registered as a Chinese new cosmetic ingredient for skincare formulations.
• Everwhite™ VC-Et (3-o-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) Stable vitamin C derivative used in skin-lightening and anti-aging cosmetic formulations to inhibit melanin formation.
• BioWhite™ VCG (Ascorbyl Glucoside) Stable Vitamin C derivative (Ascorbyl Glucoside, ≥98% purity by biocatalytic synthesis) hydrolyzed by α-glucosidase for skin whitening and anti-aging skincare.
• BioWhite™ ABT (α-Arbutin) Enzymatically synthesized α-Arbutin (>99.5% purity) that selectively inhibits tyrosinase activity to eliminate melanin formation in cosmetic formulations.
• AgeGuard® HP16 (Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline) Plant-derived lipid anti-wrinkle active that promotes collagen synthesis and stimulates fibroblast regeneration; COSMOS-certified for anti-aging cosmetic formulations.
• Evertouch® LPS-100 (Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate) Natural amino acid-derived emollient with excellent solubilizing and dispersing properties for skincare and personal care formulations.
• Evermild® PGA (Polyglutamic Acid) Long-lasting moisturizing biopolymer that increases skin's natural moisturizing factor and elasticity with anti-aging effects; COSMOS-certified.
• EverGuard® PL (ε-Polylysine) Natural broad-spectrum antibacterial poly-lysine conditioning agent, biodegradable and non-toxic, FDA-approved as a natural food additive; COSMOS-certified.
• EverGuard® CY (Caprylyl Glycine) Multifunctional amino acid derivative used as a moisturizer, hair conditioner, and antibacterial agent in personal care formulations.
• Olesun® OT (Ethylhexyl Triazone) Highly effective oil-soluble UVB filter with high photostability for use in suncare and skincare formulations.
• Olesun® DHHB (Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate) Stable UVA filter with excellent photostability and solubility for use in broad-spectrum sunscreen and skincare formulations.
• Olesun® M (Methylene Bis-benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol) High-efficiency organic broad-spectrum UVA/UVB absorber in ultra-fine nanoparticle form for advanced suncare formulations.
• Eversmooth™ NC-30M (Liposome Conditioning Agent) Natural skin and hair liposome conditioning agent that provides excellent dry-combing performance even in silicone-free formulations.
• Evermild® L-ARG (Arginine) Multifunctional amino acid used as a natural neutralizer and for skin/hair conditioning with anti-glycation potential; COSMOS-certified.
• Evermoist™ AGG-50G (Glyceryl Glucoside) Biotechnology-derived endogenous repair ingredient that upregulates Aquaporin 3 and enhances skin barrier function for skincare formulations.
• BioEase® MY-75(N) (Hydrolyzed Corn Starch / Maltotetraose) Biotechnology-derived anti-itch and moisturizing agent based on maltotetraose oligosaccharides from hydrolyzed corn starch; COSMOS-certified.
• EverPro® LCY (Wrapped Supramolecular Capryoyl Glycine) Water-soluble antibacterial and oil-control ingredient with pH-balancing properties, formulated via encapsulated supramolecular delivery technology.
• EverPro® ESA (Wrapped Supramolecular Salicylic Acid) Encapsulated supramolecular salicylic acid with high water solubility (up to 20%), providing controlled release and reduced irritation in cosmetic formulations.
• KOKO™ ML-40 (Menthyl Lactate) Gentle, long-lasting cooling and soothing sensory agent for personal care and oral care formulations; COSMOS-certified.
• KOKO™ ML Plus (Menthol and Menthyl Lactate Liquid Blend) Liquid cooling sensory agent with enhanced cooling effect formulated using eutectic technology; COSMOS-certified.
• SenseHot™ (Vanillyl Butyl Ether) Safe and gentle long-lasting warming sensation agent that produces warm feelings via the nervous system, for use in personal care formulations.
• EverFrag™ LAD-5G (Phospholipid-Wrapped Lavender Liposome) Phospholipid-encapsulated lavender essential oil liposome providing long-lasting fragrance and hair conditioning in hair care and body care products.
• EverExtract® PO (Portulaca Oleracea Extract) Natural plant extract with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-aging and immune-system strengthening properties for soothing and calming personal care formulations.
• MINOX® F4 (Plant-Derived Anti-Itch Blend) Plant-derived anti-itch agent combining Portulaca Oleracea, Cnidium Monnieri, Phyllanthus Emblica and Prunella Vulgaris extracts for personal care formulations.
• EverExtract® MPS (Maltotetraose + Portulaca Anti-Itch Blend) High-efficiency anti-itch active combining maltotetraose oligosaccharides with Portulaca Oleracea extract for anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory personal care formulations.
• EverMoist™ GG-40 (Glyceryl Glucoside Moisturizer) Cost-effective moisturizing activator with high thermal stability, low Maillard reaction and high water-holding capacity for skin repair formulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• N-acetylneuraminic acid purity >98% through synthetic biology technology
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SINO LION (中狮集团)coreOthersParent company of Ascend Biotech. SINO LION is a multinational company providing biotechnology and life science solutions.
• Chinese Academy of SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term research cooperation with Chinese Academy of Sciences for R&D collaboration in biotechnology and life sciences.
• Nankai UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research and talent development in biotechnology.
• Shandong UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research and talent development in biotechnology.
• Tianjin University of Science and TechnologymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for joint research and talent development in biotechnology and food science.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BASF: World's largest chemical company with deep personal care, nutrition, and pharma ingredient divisions. Comparable to Ascend across cosmetic actives, UV filters, and amino acid derivatives, with vastly greater regulatory and customer footprint.
• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutrition, health, and personal care ingredients giant following the 2023 merger. Directly comparable to Ascend across vitamins (including K2 and D3), nutritional bioactives, and personal care actives, but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Lonza: Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization with extensive biotech and microbial fermentation capabilities. Comparable to Ascend in applying bioprocessing for high-purity bioactives used in pharma and nutrition.
• Evonik: German specialty chemicals company with strong positions in amino acids, cosmetic actives, and biotech ingredients. Comparable to Ascend's amino acid derivatives (L-Homoserine, Arginine, Polyglutamic Acid) and fermentation-based bioactives.

Direct peers

• Ashland: US-based specialty ingredients supplier serving personal care, pharma, and food. Comparable across biofunctional actives, conditioning polymers, and encapsulation technologies that overlap with Ascend's EverPro® and Evermild® lines.
• Seppic (Air Liquide): French specialty ingredient subsidiary of Air Liquide focused on personal care, pharma, and nutrition excipients. Comparable to Ascend's portfolio of conditioning agents, emulsifiers, and biotech-derived skin actives.
• Croda International: UK-listed specialty ingredient supplier focused on personal care, life sciences, and performance technologies. Closely comparable to Ascend's personal care ingredient business across actives, conditioning agents, and UV filters, serving the same formulators and brand customers.

Emerging players

• Conagen: US-based synthetic biology company producing high-purity ingredients via fermentation for nutrition, personal care, and flavors/fragrances. Closely comparable to Ascend's biotech platform approach and ingredient categories.
• SYTHEON: US-based specialty ingredient developer focused on high-performance cosmetic actives with strong scientific positioning. Comparable to Ascend's BioYoung™, BioWhite™, and AgeGuard® brands serving prestige skincare formulators.
• Bloomage Biotechnology: Leading Chinese biotech company specializing in hyaluronic acid and other fermentation-derived bioactive ingredients for cosmetics, medical, and nutrition. The closest direct Chinese comparable to Ascend's synthetic biology platform approach and customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ascend-biotech-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ascend Biotech