Activen Sa
Activen SA is a Swiss biotech that discovers and supplies miniprotein-based active ingredients—such as the muscle relaxant XEP-018 and growth factor XEP-716—to cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers serving the dermo-cosmetic industry.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersLausanne, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Activen Sa does
Activen SA is a privately held Swiss biotechnology company, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Lausanne, that develops and commercializes a novel class of dermo-cosmetic active ingredients based on miniproteins™—small proteins, typically derived from the genomic sequences of living organisms, that are small enough to penetrate the skin topically while retaining high specificity and efficacy on cellular targets such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, nervous cells, immune cells, and melanocytes. The company's discovery platform is anchored by a proprietary database of more than 100,000 miniproteins, less than 1% of which have known functions, providing a deep pipeline of untapped actives across anti-aging, regenerative dermatology, neuro-dermatology, and immuno-dermatology. Two ingredients are currently commercialized: XEP®-018, a best-in-class topical muscle relaxant derived from the venom of the sea snail Conus consors that reduces fine lines and wrinkles in as little as two hours and is positioned as a non-invasive alternative to botulinum toxin; and XEP®-716, a first-in-class growth factor miniprotein targeting TGF-β pathways for multipotent skin rejuvenation.
Activen operates a B2B ingredient-supply business model, selling miniprotein actives either by chemical synthesis or bioproduction to cosmetic brands and to contract manufacturers (façonniers) that produce on behalf of major beauty houses; named end-customers include Chanel, L'Oréal, and Nivéa, reached indirectly through these manufacturers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is engaged via brochure requests and direct contact. The company is led by President Jean-Marc Le Doussal, who brought pharmaceutical-industry scientific rigor to the cosmetics sector, and Marketing Director Élodie Jean-Louis, with operational headcount of 1–10 employees. Research and development is conducted at a center in Nantes, France, while the commercial headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland; the company has received international industry awards in Switzerland, France, and the United States for laboratory innovation.
Activen Sa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Activen Sa
- Legal name
- Activen SA
- Website
- https://activen-cosmetics.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Activen SA is a Swiss biotech that discovers and supplies miniprotein-based active ingredients—such as the muscle relaxant XEP-018 and growth factor XEP-716—to cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers serving the dermo-cosmetic industry.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Activen Sa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dermo-cosmetic Active Ingredients
- NAICS
- Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB)
Keywords
Where Activen Sa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lausanne
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Activen Sa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Active Ingredient Sales: Activen develops and commercializes miniprotein active ingredients to cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers (façonniers). The company produces and sells miniproteins that can be chemically synthesized or bioproduced according to high quality standards, delivering constant purity and full traceability through a simplified supply chain.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Activen Sa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Activen develops and commercializes proprietary miniprotein™ active ingredients for the dermo-cosmetic industry. The company scouts genomic sequences of living organisms to identify small proteins that can penetrate the skin and modulate specific cellular receptors, then supplies these miniprotein actives to cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers for incorporation into anti-aging, skin regeneration, neuro-dermatology, and immuno-dermatology formulations. Its two commercial products are XEP®-018 (a muscle relaxant miniprotein for wrinkle reduction) and XEP®-716 (a growth factor miniprotein for skin rejuvenation).
Product overview
Activen Sa is a biotech company that has pioneered a new class of active ingredients called miniproteins™ for the dermo-cosmetic industry. The company scouts genomic sequences of living organisms to discover naturally occurring molecules that can penetrate the skin. Their product portfolio consists of two commercial miniprotein actives: XEP®-018 MINIPROTEIN™ (a best-in-class muscle relaxant for wrinkle reduction) and XEP®-716 MINIPROTEIN™ (a first-in-class growth factor for skin rejuvenation and regeneration). The company maintains a proprietary database of over 100,000 miniproteins and conducts R&D programs in anti-aging, regenerative dermatology, neuro-dermatology, and immuno-dermatology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- XEP-018 miniprotein: Best-in-class muscle relaxant miniprotein derived from sea snail venom (Conus consors). Applied topically for non-invasive wrinkle reduction with visible results in 2 hours.
- XEP-716 miniprotein
Products and services
- XEP®-018 MINIPROTEIN™ Best-in-class muscle relaxant miniprotein derived from the venom of the sea snail Conus consors. Applied topically as a cosmetic active, it penetrates the skin to exert muscle relaxant activity, reducing fine lines and wrinkles in as fast as 2 hours and providing cumulative anti-aging effects after 1 month of use. Targeted at dermo-cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers formulating premium anti-aging skincare products.
- XEP®-716 MINIPROTEIN™ First-in-class growth factor miniprotein naturally occurring in some living organisms, discovered by Activen. Its 3D folded structure enables skin penetration that conventional growth factors cannot achieve, delivering multipotent rejuvenating action through daily cosmetic formulation application and targeting TGF-β pathways for skin renewal, tissue regeneration, and wound healing. Targeted at dermo-cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers developing regenerative and anti-aging skincare ranges.
Quantifiable outcome
- Visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles within 2 hours of application (XEP-018)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Activen Sa
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Activen Sa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Activen Sa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Activen Sa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lipotec (Lubrizol Life Science): Lipotec, now part of Lubrizol, is a biotechnology-based ingredient company specializing in peptide-based cosmetic actives, including the well-known Argireline muscle-relaxant peptide — a direct functional competitor to Activen's XEP-018.
- CLR Berlin: CLR Berlin develops and manufactures cosmetic active ingredients from natural and biotechnological sources for skin and hair care applications, serving the same dermo-cosmetic brand customer base as Activen.
- Mibelle Biochemistry: Swiss-based Mibelle Biochemistry develops high-tech bioactive cosmetic ingredients using biotechnology, plant cell culture, and peptides — closely matching Activen's positioning as a Swiss biotech ingredient supplier to premium cosmetic brands.
- Active Concepts: Active Concepts develops innovative cosmetic active ingredients through biotechnology and biofermentation, with a similar B2B ingredient-supplier model targeting cosmetic brands and formulators.
- Sederma (Croda International): Sederma, a Croda subsidiary, develops biotech-derived bioactive ingredients for cosmetics, including peptides and proteins targeting anti-aging and skin regeneration — directly comparable to Activen's miniprotein technology and target customers.
- Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF): Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, part of IFF, develops and markets phospholipid- and peptide-based cosmetic actives. It competes in the same biotech-derived dermo-cosmetic ingredient category as Activen and supplies similar major brand customers.
Broad incumbents
- Givaudan Active Beauty: Givaudan Active Beauty is a global leader in cosmetic ingredients and fragrance, offering biotech-derived actives, peptides, and natural extracts. It serves all major cosmetic brands with broader portfolio and deeper resources than Activen.
- Evonik Care Solutions: Evonik's Care Solutions business produces specialty cosmetic ingredients including peptides, ceramides, and biotech actives, serving the same brand customers as Activen but as part of a much larger specialty chemicals portfolio.
- DSM Personal Care & Aroma: DSM Personal Care develops and markets bioactive cosmetic ingredients, including peptides and vitamins, for major beauty brands globally. It is a broad incumbent offering biotech actives alongside vitamins and UV filters.
Emerging players
- BIOEFFECT: BIOEFFECT uses biotechnology to produce growth factor-based skincare, including EGF. Its topical growth factor technology overlaps with Activen's XEP-716 TGF-β-targeting miniprotein, although BIOEFFECT markets finished skincare rather than B2B ingredients.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Activen Sa social profiles
Digital presenceActiven Sa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Activen Sa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Activen Sa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Activen Sa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Activen Sa
What does Activen Sa do?
Activen develops and commercializes proprietary miniprotein™ active ingredients for the dermo-cosmetic industry. The company scouts genomic sequences of living organisms to identify small proteins that can penetrate the skin and modulate specific cellular receptors, then supplies these miniprotein actives to cosmetic brands and contract manufacturers for incorporation into anti-aging, skin regeneration, neuro-dermatology, and immuno-dermatology formulations. Its two commercial products are XEP®-018 (a muscle relaxant miniprotein for wrinkle reduction) and XEP®-716 (a growth factor miniprotein for skin rejuvenation).
Is Activen Sa a public or private company?
Activen Sa is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Activen Sa founded?
Activen Sa was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Activen Sa based?
Activen Sa is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Activen Sa make money?
One revenue line is on record: active Ingredient Sales.
Who are Activen Sa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lipotec (Lubrizol Life Science), CLR Berlin, Mibelle Biochemistry, Active Concepts, Sederma (Croda International) and Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (IFF). Broad incumbents are Givaudan Active Beauty, Evonik Care Solutions and DSM Personal Care & Aroma. BIOEFFECT is listed as an emerging player.
Does Activen Sa have an API?
No public API is recorded for Activen Sa.
What industry is Activen Sa in?
Activen Sa's product category is Dermo-cosmetic Active Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRABAAAF, Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare, with a secondary code of CRABAAAB, Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging). Its NAICS code is 32561.