Today we talk to the founding partners of Calecim Professional. A skincare company which uses skin regeneration technology to give you the latest in anti-aging skincare.
Their scientists believe active proteins from cord lining stem cells can trigger positive reactions by sending cellular messages to the skin. Thus, rejuvenating your skin.
So, what do you get when you put a stem cell scientist, a plastic surgeon and a financial markets’ expert together? CellReseachCorp, apparently. They are the parent company of Calecim research.
Gavin Tan, Phan Toan Thang and Ivor J Lim created CRP in 2002, with the aim of providing skin and scar cells to laboratories around the world for research.
Over time they were able to take Cord Lining Stem Cells and create a cosmeceutical line.
Why did you decide to go into skincare?
Prof Phan created this cream to show collaborators what stem cell media could do. We did not start out aiming to create skincare. The goal was, and is, to bring the healing properties of Cord Lining Stem Cells to as many people as possible.
Skincare was developed as a part of the company when aesthetic doctors became interested
in the anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and reparative qualities of cord lining media. So, Calecim was created. It stands for Cord Lining Conditioned Media (CLCM).
The first users of Calecim were physicians, who could immediately see that it was
effective when combined with their clinical procedures. The lined managed to dramatically reduce their patient’s discomfort (redness, irritation, swelling) and recovery downtime.
Doctors then started using the cream as part of an at-home skincare regimen for their
patients. Doctors have always known that there is a correlation between skin ageing and loss of the skin’s own natural repair mechanisms. That you would apply skin regeneration technology
to aging skin seemed logical.
Was it difficult to get Calecim first formulation together?
We developed our first formulation 15 years ago. To create the Professional Serum we called in expert formulators and the formula hasn’t changed.
What are the types of stem cells and how do they work?
There are two types of stem cells found in the Cord Lining: Mesenchymal and Epithelial. They both contribute to repairing cells and do so via cellular communication. This is executed by the secretions of the cells i.e. the media derived from Cord Lining Stem Cells.
When applied to skin, the proteins, growth factors and cytokines derived from these two sources of stem cells are able to communicate with the mesenchymal as well as the epithelial layers of the skin.
How do you safely extract/grow cord lining stem cells?
Safety is paramount to us. It’s a part of our entire manufacturing process. Extraction begins with the selection of placenta from a mammal with no known disease transmission to humans. To figure this out requires protocols for the collection and transportation of the umbilical cords, surface sterilisation, isolation and propagation of cord lining stem cells.
To make it more clear, I’ll talk you through one of our actual processes.
We use Red deer umbilical cords, from a farm in New Zealand which rear the animals for antler velvets. Under specific handling intrusions and in a temperature controlled environment, they are transported to our CRC laboratory in Singapore.
Once they’ve reached Singapore, our CRC Group Chief Medical Officer does a quality check. The criteria for which includes:
- The deer must not have any diseases
- There must not have been any occurrences of major disease outbreaks
- The deer can only be from New Zealand and the Quarantine Standards for the country must be met
- The shipment of the umbilical cords must be accompanied with a certificate for are legal and safe to use.
- Lastly, we must be able to get a licence to import the goods. This is obtained prior from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
Has Calecim done clinical trials? If not, what kind of evidence is out there that supports stem cell technology in skincare?
Unfortunately, we have not done clinical trials. However, we have collaborated with renowned clinicians who have conducted clinical trials with our finished products.
Also, our scientists have been published in numerous international journals, which we are proud of! We have conducted in-vitro studies at our laboratory.
One of our studies looked at the pro-proliferative and pro-migrative properties of CALECIM® extracts, as well as the regulation of hyaluronic acid and elastin expressions.
The study found the CALECIM® extract could elevate the expressions of hyaluronic acid and elastin. Both are important for healthy skin.
Finally, where do you think this technology and Calecim will lead in the future?
The possibilities are great because of the research that is on-going. Stem cell has potential applications in cornea resurfacing, heart repair, the treatment of Parkinson’s and Luper. We will be there throughout all of it and you can find out list of collaborations here.
We are particularly excited about our partnership with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Centre. Here we are trialing stem cells for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, and potentially, other hard to heal wounds.
You can read more about this here.
The possibilities are endless because Cord Lining Stem Cell technology can be applied to almost any medical field. When it comes to Calecim future products we can tell you about our hair regrowth system.
This system has already been tested and has had a positive response. We hope to push this product out to a larger clientele soon.
In terms of products we want to create, we’re hoping to develop an eye cream and post-procedure skin protection. As well as skincare for very dry, eczematous skin.
