The company applies machine learning to proprietary microbiome and clinical datasets to identify novel therapeutic approaches. Building on its established presence in cosmetic skincare, Biotix is now translating its platform into medical indications.
A new avenue
Biotix's existing skincare line is already revenue-generating, providing a commercial base for a larger scientific ambition. The company sees the skin microbiome as the starting point for an entirely new class of medicines for inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions, with its AI platform as the translational link: turning microbiome and clinical data into testable therapeutic hypotheses.
Current treatments for conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne often rely on topical steroids, which can cause side effects including skin thinning, reduced effectiveness over time, and rebound flare-ups after treatment stops.
Biotix's platform analyses diverse skin types and clinical parameters to identify data patterns that point to novel therapeutic approaches, bypassing the limitations of current options.
The team behind the science
Biotix is led by Davide Pennino, PhD, Co-founder and CEO, who is the first team member based within the BioEscalator Innovation Labs. Davide has more than 15 years of R&D experience in microbiome research and skin diseases, and completed his PhD in Experimental Medicine at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).
Biotix is backed by NSG Ventures. Jeff Lu, board member and investor, brings over a decade of experience as a technology and healthcare entrepreneur, having co-founded Engine Biosciences and held senior roles at AAE (acquired by Expedia), AirAsia, Goodman Capital and Bain & Company. He has been instrumental in building multiple high-performing companies with combined exits exceeding $450 million. Tim Lu, MD, PhD, advisor and investor, is a Professor at MIT and Chief Scientific Advisor of NSG Ventures, with more than 20 years of experience in synthetic biology and drug discovery. He has co-founded multiple biotech companies, including Tango Therapeutics, Senti Biosciences and Synlogic.
Scientific Alignment, Translational Infrastructure and Growth Environment
By joining the BioEscalator community, Biotix aims to build collaborations across the University of Oxford's Medical Sciences Division, DiOxford, the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies, and the Skin Immunology Group. The company is already part of Oxford's Microbiome Network, and hopes to connect its data-driven platform with Oxford's national and clinical expertise to support BioEscalator's therapeutic development.
With plans to expand the team in the near future, BioEscalator's flexible model will also support Biotix as it scales by providing access to laboratory space, partnership opportunities, and investor networks.
The BioEscalator looks forward to supporting Biotix as the company continues to grow its translational research and therapeutic development activities within the Oxford ecosystem.