BASF and Bota Biosciences have officially brought SkinNexus™ Collag3n to market — a 100% human-identical recombinant Collagen III fragment developed through a first-of-its-kind application of Physical AI in cosmetic ingredient discovery. The commercial launch, announced on 30 June 2026, marks the transition of this ingredient from a high-profile trade show introduction to full market availability for personal care formulators.
The ingredient made its debut at in-cosmetics Global 2026 in Paris, where BASF first showcased SkinNexus™ Collag3n as part of its new collagen science platform. The market launch announcement now reveals the full story of the Bota Biosciences partnership and the AI-powered biofoundry technology that made the ingredient possible at commercial scale.
Physical AI Biofoundry: Screening 2,000 Collagen Fragments
The development of SkinNexus™ Collag3n draws on Bota Biosciences‘ Physical AI-driven biofoundry — a platform combining artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, and biomanufacturing to accelerate ingredient discovery. Together, BASF and Bota Biosciences screened over 2,000 collagen fragments, running candidate evaluation in parallel with industrial feasibility validation. This concurrent approach closes the loop between discovery and production, enabling the identification of the optimal Collagen III fragment for both performance and scalability — a process that would have taken substantially longer using conventional methods.
SkinNexus Collag3n: A Truly Bio-Identical Collagen III
SkinNexus™ Collag3n is a recombinant fragment that is 100% structurally identical to human Collagen III — the collagen type strongly associated with youthful, firm skin and naturally lost with age. Unlike hydrolysed collagen or collagen-stimulating peptides, SkinNexus™ Collag3n delivers the actual molecular architecture of native Collagen III to the skin, directly targeting the collagen banking concept in anti-aging formulation. The ingredient’s bio-identical character, combined with a scalable supply chain, positions it for deployment in premium skin care actives.
“SkinNexus™ Collag3n reflects our commitment to high-performance, science-based innovation. Bota Biosciences was the partner of choice to combine strong efficacy with industrial scalability.”
— Lucilene Veira Nunes, Global Business Management, BASF Beauty Care Solutions
“This collaboration is proof that Physical AI for Biomanufacturing can turn cutting-edge science into commercial, sustainable, and high-performance ingredients. Together with BASF, we are setting new standards for bio-identical actives in personal care.”
— Dr. Cheryl Cui, Founder and CEO, Bota Biosciences
SkinNexus™ Collag3n is now commercially available through BASF Beauty Care Solutions, adding to the company’s growing portfolio of biotechnology-derived cosmetic actives targeting the longevity and bio-identical beauty ingredient trends reshaping premium skin care.
