The Business of Biofabrication

L’Oréal’s Skin Technology division, led by Caroline Sirichandra, has announced a partnership with AMKbiotech, a French biotech startup specializing in spatial biology and high-plex cytometry. The collaboration aims to bring visualization and quantitative insight into human skin biology — reshaping the way researchers study skin function, longevity, and response to active ingredients.

At the heart of the partnership lies AMKbiotech’s HighPlex Imaging platform, an advanced tissue-analysis technology capable of visualizing over 40 biomarkers in a single section using AI-powered image analysis. The result is a multi-dimensional view of the skin’s cellular landscape — from the stratum corneum through the epidermis and dermis — enabling scientists to spatially map and quantify how cosmetic actives interact with each layer.

A New Era for Reconstructed Skin Analysis

Episkin SA, based in Lyon, is recognized as the world leader in reconstructed human tissue models. Since 1992, the company has supplied in vitro human skin and epithelial models to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries — providing scientifically validated alternatives to animal testing. Its reconstructed skin systems replicate human histology and function, forming the foundation for next-generation testing of ingredient efficacy and safety.

By integrating Episkin’s biologically accurate tissue models with AMKbiotech’s AI-enhanced spatial biology workflow, researchers can now:

• Obtain unparalleled spatial resolution across skin compartments.
• Quantify molecular effects of compounds directly within the tissue microenvironment.
• Accelerate R&D cycles by reducing variability and enhancing reproducibility.
• Explore new frontiers in skin longevity, repair, and resilience.

Beyond Cosmetics — Toward Translational Impact

While rooted in cosmetic science, the implications of this partnership extend far beyond skincare. High-plex spatial imaging combined with tissue-engineered human models represents a scalable platform for drug discovery, toxicology, and personalized dermatology.

AMKbiotech, headquartered in Sophia-Antipolis, provides end-to-end project support — from biomarker panel design to computational analysis — helping both pharma and biotech partners adopt spatial biology approaches in preclinical research.

As the image shared by L’Oréal’s research team illustrates — a vivid multiplexed reconstruction of human skin — this partnership demonstrates how advanced imaging, AI, and tissue engineering are converging to reveal the living architecture of skin with unprecedented clarity.

Photo From Caroline Sirichandra Linkedin

About L’Oréal Skin Technology

L’Oréal Skin Technology, part of L’Oréal’s Advanced Research division, pioneers scientific innovation in skin biology through data-driven discovery, AI analytics, and next-generation imaging. Its mission is to accelerate breakthroughs in longevity, dermatology, and personalized skincare through partnerships bridging biotech and beauty science.

About AMKbiotech

AMKbiotech is a biotechnology company based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, specializing in spatial biology and high-plex cytometry. It provides end-to-end biomarker discovery and tissue analysis services — from experimental design to AI-based data interpretation — helping pharma, biotech, and cosmetic partners unlock deeper biological insights.

About Episkin SA

Episkin SA, a subsidiary of L’Oréal, is the world leader in reconstructed human tissue models. Founded in 1992, it supplies in vitro human skin and epithelial models used globally for efficacy and safety testing. Episkin’s technologies are validated alternatives to animal testing and are foundational tools in modern toxicology and cosmetic science.