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Screening systems to investigate estrogen pathway modulators
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Background

We are a major player and market leader in the consumer health & beauty industry, with a portfolio that spans multiple channels, demographics and categories. We are seeking a preclinical/in vitro screening system to investigate estrogen pathway-modulating entities such as natural ingredients, compounds, or extracts/botanicals. 

 

Observations of hair patterns in female life during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause have shown that estrogen dysregulation has significant effects on hair loss. Estrogen binds to receptors on the hair follicles, affecting the hair growth cycle, yet the exact alteration of the hair cycle remains unclear. Literature has shown that during phases when estrogen is high, such as during pregnancy, hair growth increases and hair loss decreases. The opposite can occur during menopause, when there is a relative increase in androgens compared to declining estrogen levels. These androgens can influence hair follicles, contributing to hair loss. 

 

There are many known compounds and botanicals that may affect the estrogenic pathway, increasing and/or balancing the levels of estrogen in the body. We are seeking to identify such compounds and/or botanicals that may impact the secretion/modulation of estrogen. We are also interested in assays capable of quantifying the expression of molecules in the estrogenic pathway.

What we're looking for

We are looking for a high throughput screening system/model to identify compounds and botanicals that impact estrogen modulation. The system should quantify estrogen pathway molecule expression, enzyme inhibition, activation, metabolism, activity reduction, and/or gene expression modulation.

Solutions of interest include:
  • In vitro and/or ex vivo high throughput screening models.
  • Biological research aimed at detecting compounds and botanicals that affect the estrogen pathway.
  • Elucidation of new biochemical pathways and interactions of compounds affecting estrogen levels.
Our must-have requirements are:
  • Model(s) capable of screening for estrogenic modulation, estrogens/phytoestrogens, and estrogenic molecules.

  • Model(s) must be capable of screening a wide variety of chemicals in order to identify optimal/beneficial ingredients for use in supplements, topical consumer products, personal care ingredients and/or extracts/botanicals.

  • Provide a high-level experimental plan with timelines to outline your approach/key milestones.

Our nice-to-have's are:
  • Validated model(s)
  • Research teams with expertise in conducting solubility and/or cytotoxicity assays/models.
  • Demonstrated reproducibility
  • Higher throughput in nature (ability to screen more than 20 materials at a time)
  • High sensitivity
  • Time effective - ability to deliver results through testing ingredients in the platform by the end of 2024.
What's out of scope:
  • No animal nor animal-derived models or systems
Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):
Levels 3-6
What we can offer you
Eligible partnership models:
Sponsored research
Licensing
Co-development
Material transfer
Benefits:
Sponsored Research
Funding is proposal dependent, but an accepted proposal could expect support in the range of 25,000 - 100,000 USD (milestone dependent) with the potential for follow-on funding.
Expertise
Partners will interact with a project lead to mutually develop a project plan and engage in regular meetings to ensure success. Partners will have access to internal team/experts as appropriate.
Q&A with the company

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Q.
Are your estrogen modulation studies interested in skin models, particularly with hair follicles? Our models may simulate estrogen's effects on skin and hair. Is this relevant to your research?
4
A.
Hello Lukas, Thank you for your question. Yes, we would be interested in learning more about your models and their relevance/translatability to skin & hair. Ideally, we are seeking models in which we can screen/test several dozen ingredients/compounds/extracts in order to identify the top performers. If your model is capable of this, we would be keen to learn more. We hope this helps. Thanks!
Team Member, Reviewer, Private Company
August 19, 2024
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