Innovation in Cosmetics and Biochemistry Flourishes in Aargau


Saturday, October 01, 2011 by Aargau Services

After four years, a team of biochemists at Mibelle in Buchs near Aarau, the capital of the canton of Aargau in Switzerland, succeeded in cultivating stem cells from the pulp of the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple for purposes of developing a cosmetic substance. The final product not only convinced the American First Lady, Michelle Obama, but was also awarded the 2008 European Innovation Prize.

Too sour for immediate consumption, the Uttwiler Spätlauber had led a marginal existence and became almost extinct. It used to hang from the branches seemingly forever without losing its radiating freshness while its fellow apple varieties had long since started to shrivel. This didn't go unnoticed by the researchers of Mibelle Biochemistry in Buchs. The active substance from this Swiss apple can these days be found in many high-end anti-aging products of leading cosmetics producers.

'An excellent location'

"Aargau is a very good location. While the canton does not have a university, those in Basel, Bern, and Zurich are in convenient proximity - as are the airports of Zurich and Basel. This is ideal for recruiting specialists and for our international activities," Fred Zülli emphasizes. And visitors from all over the world can find Aargau easily, he insists. He only identifies one obvious flaw: "There are four Buchs in Switzerland", he laughs. Aargau is top with regard to life quality and it's not difficult to import highly qualified personnel, Zülli knows. That is of special importance to Mibelle Biochemistry since it is currently expanding. In particular the areas research and development are experiencing exciting times.

When organic and high-tech are combined

He does not see any contradiction between high-tech and organic. "It's no contradiction but merely a very accomplished mix. Many look at stem cell research suspiciously. Here, we have created an active substance by isolating and growing a few plant cells and giving a new lease on life to an almost extinct apple variety on the way", he remarks. The new substance successfully stresses the motto of Mibelle Biochemistry: Inspired by nature; realized by science.

Dynamic innovation process

Beata Hurst of marketing adds: "Clients want effects. Here, we have a 100% natural active substance based on science. In our field, only innovation counts. We therefore have to plan ahead by recognizing trends and client demands very early on so we can react in flexible and dynamic ways. We have a highly developed innovation process. Each month, we conduct a brainstorming session for finding, discussing, selecting, and concretizing ideas. This business is very vibrant. Innovation life cycles become ever shorter. There's an enormous importance to a dynamic innovation process especially in the light of the steep international competition. Innovation is simultaneously the lifeline of our industry. Our competition is not national but international: the USA, France, Japan, and Korea are at the forefront of research regarding active cosmetics ingredients."

Good network is key

For Mibelle Biochemistry, a great network of suppliers, partners, and scientists is key. Fred Zülli says: "A large decentralized network of labs and universities staffed with specialists from research and dermatology is crucial to us. Despite having global contacts, we can manage many a development step inside Switzerland since this country disposes of very good institutions. The canton of Aargau located in the midst of the centers Zurich, Bern, and Basel is virtually ideal as a location. This is a crucial advantage in this fast business with worldwide competition."