Skin Damage Biomarker

NetScientific has invested in research into a potentially ubiquitous biomarker of skin UV damage, with potential applications in cosmeceuticals, cancer surgery and drug development.

According the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, with more than 2 million cases per year in the US alone. The vast majority of these cases are diagnosed by physical examination and biopsy, but diagnosis still depends on a tumour being large enough for the physician to see. NetScientific is developing a test for skin damage, based on a potentially powerful biomarker for UV skin damage. The ability to test for this biomarker in skin cells for and monitor levels could dramatically improve detection and diagnosis of early stage and even pre-cancerous lesions. NetScientific has also acquired IP relating to transdermal biosensing, which would allow this biomarker to be detected non-invasively, using a simple skin patch.

Because there are no established biomarkers for photo-aging and photo-carcinogenesis, this biomarker could have broad potential application in cosmeceutical research, skin cancer surgery and drug development. For example, applications in the high-growth cosmeceutical market would include measuring the efficacy of skin treatments promoted to protect or repair sun damage, and to aid their further development. It would also help clinicians to understand and predict progression of skin damage to skin cancer. Biomarkers that prove to be valid indicators can be translated into high volume lab tests and valuable drug targets.