While dirty coal enjoys a rehabilitation of sorts, here’s one for the body beautiful brigade that could do with a valuation boost.
The biotech outfit has developed the world’s first transdermal delivery system that improves the performance of products (such as cosmetics) delivered through the skin.
The key to OBJ’s know-how is the use of physical science (magnetics) rather than chemistry to achieve this aim. The science – “complex 3D magnetic fields produced by low-cost microarrays or powered magnetic inductors” – baffles your columnist and, we suspect, most investors.
But all punters really need to know is that Procter & Gamble, the world’s biggest maker of skin cosmetics, already uses OBJ’s technology in its Olay and SK-II brands.
P&G launched a magnetic eye wand in Japan, China and other South East Asian markets in March. The key claim that the wand will deliver “younger more beautiful” is a tad difficult to prove clinically, even by the Ponds Institute.
But we guess it can’t be disproved either and the real point is the wands walked off the shelves. P&G has since launched a whole-of-face variant called the SK-II Magnetic Booster and an overnight face cream called Magnemask.
While anything to do with maintaining ageless beauty implies chirping cash registers, OBJ’s greater fortunes could lie with a product called Bodyguard that is in clinical programs.
A wearable patch delivering non-drug pain relief directly to an injury, Bodyguard is touted as being more effective than orally delivered drugs.
Meanwhile, OBJ shares languish at close to four year lows. The company earned royalties of $2m but lost $5.5m, so no doubt investors are looking for evidence of a prettier bottom line.
