In collaboration with the Beauty Cluster and sponsored by Provital and Biogründl S.L., IQS Tech Transfer is once again holding a conference dedicated to research and innovation in cosmetics as a driver of development and added value in a constantly-evolving environment. Under the title “STEM Beauty: The Potential of Plant Stem Cells in Cosmetics,” the event will take place on 11 November in the IQS auditorium.
The Sustainable Future of Cosmetics: A Topic for Debate at the Annual IQS Beauty Cluster Conference
This year’s edition will address key topics related to the potential of plant stem cells in the development of new cosmetic solutions, their impact on the sector’s sustainability, and how companies are tackling innovation challenges and associated regulatory frameworks. It will also highlight the importance of transferring R&D&i from universities to industry.
Plant biotechnology has emerged as one of the most promising tools for obtaining highly effective cosmetic active ingredients with a low environmental impact. This technology enables the controlled cultivation of plant stem cells, ensuring the sustainability, purity, and standardization of extracts used in cosmetic products.
Once again, this year’s event will bring together researchers from the academic sphere, multidisciplinary speakers, and key industry professionals with the aim of sharing knowledge and discussing the industrial applications of this technology.
Schedule and Featured Speakers
The conference will begin at 9:30 am with a formal welcome by Dr Núria Vallmitjana, Director of IQS Tech Transfer. Next, Celia Campos, Technical Director & CEO of Muttulab, will open the lectures by addressing the complex Regulatory Framework and Challenges involved in stem cell-based cosmetics.
The technical and academic perspective will be presented by Dr Martí Lecina, researcher and senior lecturer in the Department of Bioengineering at IQS, who will explore the technical challenges and hurdles to the industrial application of plant stem cells.
From the standpoint of industry and innovation, Dr David Manzano Alias, Research & Innovation Manager at Provital, will present success stories in the sustainable production of natural actives derived from plant stem cells.
Next, Miquel Vilafranca i Tello, Industrial PhD Candidate for Biogründl S.L. at IQS, will discuss the first steps towards future cosmetic applications, focusing on the establishment of basil callus and suspension cultures.
After the coffee break, the session will focus on the sustainable extraction of metabolites from hard-to-access species, featuring contributions from Cristina Thiebaut Estrada (Technical Director and Actives Development Manager at Cobiosa), and on the potential of nature, with a presentation by Celia Etxeberria Garcia (Sales Representative at Croda).
The technology transfer session will conclude with a talk by Dr Óscar Expósito, CEO, CSO, & Co-founder of Vytrus, who will discuss plant biotechnology — from stem cells to innovative and sustainable actives.
The event will close with a roundtable moderated by Celia Campos, during which the speakers will debate the current state of the sector, the barriers to innovation, and the new challenges posed by the demand for sustainability and high cosmetic efficacy.