PASTEUR2030
Signing of a framework collaboration agreement with L'Oréal, global leader in beauty and applied skincare research
The aim of the framework collaboration agreement signed on December 16 is to develop cooperation in research and development between the Institut Pasteur and L'Oréal on the skin microbiome, skin immunology, cell aging and advanced imaging technology applied to the hair and scalp.
An afternoon of scientific discussion to celebrate the agreement
The framework agreement, signed on December 16 at L'Oréal's Aulnay-sous-Bois site, was sealed with a unique scientific day for the Institut Pasteur and L'Oréal teams. Attended by Yasmine Belkaid, President of the Institut Pasteur, and Barbara Lavernos, Vice-President R&D at L'Oréal, the event featured a varied program that offered a glimpse of potential future collaboration opportunities:
- Accelerated aging mechanisms, by Miria Ricchetti (Institut Pasteur),
- Longevity and skin health, by Peggy Sextius and Carine Ballihaut (L'Oréal),
- Microbial interactions, by Jean-Marc Ghigo (Institut Pasteur),
- Microbiome and immunity, by Samira Tamoutounour and Cécile Clavaud (L'Oréal),
- The effects of sex hormones on skin immunity, by Clarisse Ganier and Laure Guénin-Macé (Institut Pasteur).
Official addresses by Anne Colonna (VP Advanced Research, L'Oréal), Barbara Lavernos and Yasmine Belkaid brought the presentations to a close. An informal cocktail reception then provided an opportunity to continue the discussions and establish initial operational links.
A first project on the role of sex hormones in skin immunity
The first R&D collaboration project under the framework agreement will focus on a major topic: the role of sex hormones in skin immunity. The project, coordinated by Clarisse Ganier in the Meta-Organism Unit led by Prof. Yasmine Belkaid, will use an integrated clinical study and in vitro 3D approaches (organoids and reconstructed skin) to explore novel therapeutic and cosmetic targets. The partnership with L'Oréal will facilitate access to non-invasive skin analyses from healthy volunteers, and also to certain innovative skin models to test theories developed by Institut Pasteur scientists.
The framework collaboration agreement: a tool to speed up co-development and reduce administrative burden
On a scientific level, the framework agreement offers various benefits:
Access to data and state-of-the-art preclinical models for Institut Pasteur scientists interested in L'Oréal's R&D priorities,
Privileged access to L'Oréal's Advanced Research and Development teams with the aim of co-developing applications related to the skin microbiome, innate and adaptive skin immunity, and accelerated aging,
Regular discussions on emerging topics such as the impact of hormones on skin immunity and the exploration of novel therapeutic targets via 3D approaches (using organoids and reconstructed skin).
The framework agreement will also help improve administrative efficiency:
for example, as confidentiality issues are already covered, there is no need to draw up a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) for each new discussion,
as the legal terms of potential applications have been discussed in advance, a template is already available so that a collaboration agreement can be drawn up more quickly.
Are you interested in working with L'Oréal?
In practice, any scientists interested can contact Valérie Hélin, who manages the collaboration with L'Oréal within the Technology Transfer and Industrial Partnership Department (DARRI): valerie.helin@pasteur.fr
As you may already be aware, the Institut Pasteur has established framework agreements with several strategic industry partners, including bioMérieux, Sanofi, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roche, Sensorion, Moderna (via a Material Transfer Agreement) and Leica Microsystems. |
About L'Oréal
For 115 years, L'Oréal, the world's leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L'Oréal for the Future program, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.
With more than 90,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (ecommerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2024 the Group generated sales amounting to 43.48 billion euros. With 21 research centers across 13 countries around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and 8,000 Digital talents, L'Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.
In 2025, L'Oréal Groupe was named the most innovative company in Europe by Fortune magazine, out of 300 companies, in a ranking spanning 21 countries and 16 industries in Europe.