L'Oréal is said to have made a minority investment in PAM2L Biotechnologies, a Chinese company researching and applying AI-native biomaterials, according to Cosmetics Business. The deal would have been carried out via Shanghai Meicifang Investment Co, with the support of the group's strategic venture capital fund BOLD (Business Opportunities for L'Oréal Development).
PAM2L had already crossed paths with L'Oréal: the company was among the winners of the L'Oréal Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program in 2024. It was reportedly founded in 2021 by Dr Zhong Chao, a researcher at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, now founder and chief scientist of the company.
The start-up relies on an integrated technology platform combining high-throughput synthetic biology and artificial intelligence to develop next-generation biomaterials with novel functionalities. L'Oréal had also previously taken part, alongside other investors, in a funding round for Shenzhen Boyin Biotechnology, the company behind the Chinese start-up PAM2: a deal joined by Walgreens Boots Alliance, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group and Guangxin Group.
A bet on longevity
Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO of L'Oréal Groupe in charge of Recherche, Innovation and Technologie, said this investment « marque un nouveau chapitre décisif » in L'Oréal's commitment to China's AI-driven biotech ecosystem. She added that by merging « les 116 ans de maîtrise scientifique » of the group with PAM2L's biotech and AI expertise, the collaboration would accelerate the development of high-performing bio-sourced ingredients, particularly in the field of longevity.
L'Oréal says it wants to explore the scientific value of innovative bio-actives, including Augmented Colanic Acid, already incorporated into the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Collagen Royal Series collection.
Vincent Boinay, Président of the L'Oréal North Asia zone and CEO of L'Oréal China, said he believes « fermement au potentiel d'innovation immense du marché chinois », describing the investment as a « étape concrète » of the group's long-term commitment to grow alongside China's open innovation ecosystem. He said he first got to know PAM2L through the Big Bang program and said he was impressed by the company's ability to systematically develop innovative biomolecules.
For his part, Dr Zhong Chao praised a partner he described as a global leader in beauty technology backed by « 116 ans d'excellence scientifique », saying the alliance would speed up the transition from lab to market. He said he wanted to continue the collaboration to shape new possibilities for beauty in the age of longevity.
