Sunil Chandran

How gene editing could reduce the cost of cosmetics

Sunil Chandran, Jason Kelly, Alok Jha

Biotech firms like Amaris and Ginkgo are rapidly scaling the production of cosmetic ingredients through synthetic biology, currently supplying the majority of the global squalane market while securing contracts to engineer novel scents and fragrances. This shift replaces unsustainable extraction methods that endanger shark populations and deplete natural resources, offering companies the potential for 50% cost savings alongside regulatory advantages in the US and EU. Beyond ingredient sourcing, the sector is increasingly leveraging engineered microbes to address industry-wide waste challenges, such as breaking down the 120 billion units of single-use packaging generated annually.