The company was founded by Natalise Kalea Robinson and Nathan Brown after a project at a larger cosmetics company proved the efficacy of phage therapy for chronic skin conditions. The founders noted that the skin microbiome changes regularly and spontaneously, so users would need to retake the test every six months or until a pattern is recognized. As the company provides this service, it builds a library of novel data around the microbiome, which could potentially lead to more and better treatment options.
Key takeaways:
- Parallel Health, a startup that emerged from stealth at TechCrunch Disrupt, has raised $2.3 million in pre-seed funding and is launching a custom phage therapy skin serum.
- The company uses phages, viruses that target bacteria, to treat skin conditions such as acne. The phages are customized for each user's skin microbiome.
- Parallel Health has identified eight general skin types based on factors such as bacteria overgrowth and levels of hydration. Customers swab their face and send it in for analysis, after which they receive a serum infused with phages designed to target their specific skin type.
- The company's service also contributes to a growing library of data on the skin microbiome, which could lead to more and better treatment options in the future.