Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SMART UV (Smart Ultraviolet Radiation Filters)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-03-01 bis 2024-02-29
Over 3M new cases of skin cancer occur annually, with 85% related to sun exposure, hence widely preventable. Sunscreens are key players for skin cancer prevention protecting us from the UVR due to their active ingredients: UV filters. Regrettably, existing filters have limitations: a) Fast degradation; b) Toxic to humans/sea environment; c) Limited exposure time; and d) Require combination of multiple filters for full UV spectrum protection. ROKA FURADADA has developed ROKA SMART UV® technology overcoming all those limitations: a) Non-toxic profile; b) long-lasting properties; c) UVR-dose dependent; and d) eco-design of our products promoting circular economy. Our main goal is to make ROKA SMART UV® products the first choice for sunscreen manufacturers and users that wish to protect their skin without harming the environment. For that purpose, SMART-UV project will achieve:
1) The manufacture of SMART UV filters (free and capsule form) at industrial scale, following the rules about Green Chemistry Principles;
2) To obtain the approval of the regulatory agencies to use ROKA SMART UV® technology in cosmetic products in Europe;
3) The development of functional sunscreen formulations for different applications to demonstrate the strength of the technology; and
4) Successfully manage all elements relating to the project results. The implementation of the SMART-UV project will catalyse ROKA SMART Uv® technology to reach the market.
1) The manufacture of SMART UV filters (free and capsule form) at industrial scale, following the rules about Green Chemistry Principles;
2) To obtain the approval of the regulatory agencies to use ROKA SMART UV® technology in cosmetic products in Europe;
3) The development of functional sunscreen formulations for different applications to demonstrate the strength of the technology; and
4) Successfully manage all elements relating to the project results. The implementation of the SMART-UV project will catalyse ROKA SMART Uv® technology to reach the market.
The work performed during the second year was mainly focused on: 1) scale-up and validation of the encapsulated absorber, 2) pilot validation of UV absorbers in final formulations, and 3) to continue the regulatory test for approval. First, encapsulation process developed during the last year was transferred to and validated by our manufacturing partner. Multi-kilogram scale pilot was demonstrated for the encapsulation technology and capsules were study for final applications. Second, “in vitro” and “in vivo” studies were performed with final formulations to demonstrate the efficacy of ROKA Smart UV® technology. In this sense, initial pilot of sunscreen formula was produced and validated. Finally, all regulatory tests related with the approval of our second candidate molecules were completed. In parallel, synthetic methods were optimised to: a) produce ROKA Smart UV® products from bio-based raw materials, and b) sustainability of the process. In this sense, several studies were conducted using lignin as a raw material. After several attempts, good results converting lignin into a Smart UV product were obtained. Following that, synthetic steps were optimised to decrease the energy and resource consumption. Thanks to all the work performed during this project, five new patent applications were filled. SMART UV projects helped ROKA FURADADA: a) to confirm the feasibility of the ROKA Smart UV® technology, producing at industrial scale free and encapsulated products, b) to prove de security of our UV absorbers for regulatory approval, and c) to develop sunscreen formulations with different textures and applications for “in vivo” demonstration. After launch our first product to the market (ROKA Smart UV® PvB 360), we increase the interest in our technology and several costumers are testing our product.
On one hand, the encapsulation of UV filters is already published and there are also examples into the market but these processes cannot be applied to our products due to the necessity to perform a selective photo reaction inside the capsule, promoting the motility of the molecular chain of the precursors and avoiding any chemical incompatibility or cross reactions. The technology developed in the SMART-UV project allows an improved control on the particle formation, obtaining capsules with negligible leaching from inside. In addition, the capsules per se act as a microreactor where the activation mechanism of ROKA SMART UV® technology works perfectly, enhancing the activity and the safety of the filter for their utilisation in sunscreens.
On the other hand, when incorporating ROKA SMART UV® technology in cosmetic formulas, we are able to develop products with improved photostability. Photostability of sunscreens is one of the main challenges that formulators face when developing new products, as some of the current UV filters are very unstable when exposed to sunlight. This lack of photostability can lead to a huge loss of efficacy. By contrast, our products use sun radiation to activate, so they can maintain the photostability of formulas for longer periods of time. The greater the sun exposure, the greater the protection our UV filters deliver.
On the other hand, when incorporating ROKA SMART UV® technology in cosmetic formulas, we are able to develop products with improved photostability. Photostability of sunscreens is one of the main challenges that formulators face when developing new products, as some of the current UV filters are very unstable when exposed to sunlight. This lack of photostability can lead to a huge loss of efficacy. By contrast, our products use sun radiation to activate, so they can maintain the photostability of formulas for longer periods of time. The greater the sun exposure, the greater the protection our UV filters deliver.