Adjuvant Holdings Co., a struggling Japanese cosmetics manufacturer, announced it discovered a compound that may repair age-related mitochondrial DNA damage, according to research conducted with Hokkaido University.
The company, which sells through about 7,000 salons nationwide, said the yet-unnamed “Material X” increases normal mitochondrial DNA and boosts enzyme production linked to cellular repair. The findings were presented at the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan conference in March.
Adjuvant’s shares have declined 14.4% over the past year, reflecting broader challenges in Japan’s beauty sector. Trading at ¥929 ($6.20), the company carries a market value of approximately ¥7 billion ($47 million).
The Kobe-based firm, which changed its name from Adjuvant Cosme Japan in 2021, specializes in professional salon products. While mitochondrial research has gained traction in anti-aging treatments, translating laboratory findings into commercially viable cosmetics remains challenging for smaller companies.
The global active ingredients market for cosmetics is projected to reach $6.3 billion by 2030, with anti-aging compounds driving growth. However, recent breakthroughs in mitochondrial DNA repair have primarily focused on treating genetic diseases rather than cosmetic applications.
Adjuvant plans to develop skincare and scalp treatments incorporating the material, though no timeline or regulatory pathway was disclosed.
