On the heels of a brand relaunch this week,Crown Laboratories’ Aesthetics division, Bellus Medical, has acquired the HD PRP system for the aesthetic marketplace from Healeon Medical, Inc. The system is designed to meet the demands of busy practices seeking higher volume and higher yield Platelet Rich Plasma procedures. As part of their expanding Platelet Rich Plasma portfolio, Bellus Medical says it will re-brand its suite of offerings as the ProGen PRP Advantage and ProGen PRP Versa lines; both high-yield systems for use in Platelet Rich Plasma procedures. 

Crown also has acquired Xycrobe Therapeutics, Inc. Xycrobe’s technology focuses on utilizing the ubiquitous nature of skin microbes by turning them into vehicles for the delivery of biotherapeutics. By developing innovations that take advantage of these microbes, better solutions are possible for an array of clinical indications, the company says. Xycrobe technology addresses the needs of patients with inflammatory skin disease through the development of “good” bacteria strains, designed to be used for therapeutic purposes. Xycrobe’s technology is challenging the current treatment paradigm for inflammatory skin issues. 

 “Acquiring Xycrobe Therapeutics is a significant milestone, as it not only allows us to explore the ways we will leverage microbiome science across our portfolio, but also brings a very talented team of scientists to our R&D group,” said Jeff Bedard, Crown’s President and CEO. “Incorporating this technology into our portfolio will be a major focus and once commercialized, will elevate our place in therapeutic skin care. I am inspired by the team and the research to date and look forward to significant innovation coming out of this group in the near future.” 

“Using naturally occurring, skin-healthy microbes to deliver biotherapeutic molecules to the skin allows for safe and controlled treatments,” says Thomas Hitchcock, PhD, Founder and CEO of Xycrobe and Chief Science Officer of Crown Laboratories, in a statement. “Current therapies often can have safety or side-effect issues that can limit efficacy and compliance. By using our own skin microbes, we are optimizing our natural skin environment and reducing the need for harsh, system-altering treatments. Xycrobe technology is an important development in improving the way skin treatments are delivered. The opportunities Crown has identified for Xycrobe’s technology are synergistic with the vision I had for the company, and I am thrilled to advance to the next stage the remarkable efforts of everyone who was instrumental in getting Xycrobe to this point.” 

Crown intends to explore use of the Xycrobe technology across its brand portfolio, including its Bellus Medical, Vita Liberata, and Consumer divisions.