Debut targets US and Asia expansion, leveraging AI-discovered ingredients that target the hallmarks of aging in skin.
Skin longevity biotech Debut has raised $20 million to accelerate its AI-driven approach to ingredient discovery and expand its formulation business in the United States and Asia. The San Diego-based company leverages AI to uncover new molecules that target the biological hallmarks of aging and bring them to market through integrated ingredient discovery, biomanufacturing, and formulation capabilities.
At the center of Debut’s strategy is BeautyORB, the company’s AI platform, which is designed to screen upward of 50 billion potential molecules for their effects on skin biology. Rather than rely on known natural compounds, the platform uses generative models trained on proprietary functional genomics data to predict how novel molecules will affect gene expression across 30,000 human genes. This enables the company to either start with a molecule and identify its biological impact or begin with a desired clinical claim and work backwards to discover candidate compounds. According to the company, its internal datasets now achieve a predictive consistency rate of 99 percent.
“This means we can predict better ingredients, faster, with our best-in-class models that we have invested in over several years,” said Debut CEO Joshua Britton. “We are excited to go after novel chemical entities, as opposed to chasing existing ingredients in nature, to pioneer skin health innovation and support the growth of beauty brands.”
Candidate ingredients identified computationally by Debut undergo a rigorous validation process that includes RNA sequencing in skin culture models, functional testing, and safety assessments before being incorporated into finished formulations. The company says it is investing heavily in biomanufacturing to ensure these novel ingredients can be produced sustainably and at scale.
“Debut is laser-focused on staying at the forefront of skincare innovation and bringing cutting-edge biotech to every beauty brand with the highest-performing and most differentiated ingredients,” said Britton, claiming that the funding enables the company to “explore the 99.999 percent of unknown molecules that can optimize skin health and make skin longevity a reality.”
By integrating upstream and downstream development, Debut seeks to ensure consistent quality and cost efficiency as ingredients move from discovery to market. The company also develops finished products under its own brands, including DEINDE, which features Naringenin, a molecule identified through BeautyORB for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Investors in the round include Fine Structure Ventures, EDBI, Wealthberry, BOLD, GS Futures, Sandbox Industries, and Material Impact. In addition to ramping its US business, Debut plans to use the funds to expand into Asia, beginning in Singapore, where it says it will partner with local brands to develop custom formulations and ingredients tailored to regional market preferences.
“AI combined with an understanding of skin biology enables the creation of custom formulation solutions for different geographies that has previously not been possible,” said Britton.
