BIOFT is stepping up the development of customized cosmetic ingredients based on its patented technology for producing low-molecular-weight plant-derived PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide). Rather than stopping at extracting PDRN from plants, the technology precisely controls the molecular weight distribution and physicochemical properties of the material to enhance both ingredient stability and skin delivery efficiency. By combining a shift in raw material origin with advanced process engineering, the company aims to position plant-derived PDRN not as a mere substitute ingredient but as a functional material in its own right.
PDRN is a nucleic acid-based material composed of DNA fragments that has traditionally been sourced mainly from animals such as salmon. It has emerged as a key material in the dermocosmetics market, drawing attention as a high-performance skincare ingredient. At the same time, as vegan and clean beauty trends spread, demand for alternatives to animal-derived ingredients continues to grow. Development of PDRN from plant sources has followed, but commercializing it as a cosmetic ingredient requires solving several technical challenges at once: controlling impurities during extraction and purification, adjusting molecular weight, and ensuring stability within formulations.
Advancing Plant-Derived PDRN Through Molecular Weight Control
The key differentiator of BIOFT’s patented technology lies in applying a proprietary molecular weight reduction process to PDRN obtained from plants. Going beyond simply switching the source from animals to plants, the company designed the entire process to tailor the molecular weight of the extracted PDRN to its intended purpose and to secure material properties suited to skin application. Because both the origin and the function of the ingredient were treated as design targets, the approach is regarded as distinct from conventional plant-derived material development.
The manufacturing process consists of a sequence of steps, from extraction and purification to molecular weight reduction and stabilization. Stepwise purification is used to reduce impurities, while molecular weight control is closely linked with a subsequent stabilization process. Through this integrated approach, the company has focused on improving the quality consistency of plant-derived PDRN and its usability as a cosmetic ingredient.
Among these steps, molecular weight reduction is the most defining element of the patented technology. High-molecular-weight nucleic acid materials are known to face limitations in skin delivery due to their molecular size, and their viscosity and solubility can be difficult to manage within formulations. Instead of using extracted PDRN as is, BIOFT manages the material’s properties through a dedicated molecular weight adjustment process, then adds a process that reinforces stability, with the aim of improving skin delivery characteristics. According to the company, this also gives the ingredient the versatility to be applied across a wide range of formulations.
Customized Solutions and Future Skincare Applications
Another notable feature is the ability to manufacture customized PDRN from diverse plant sources. Because the same patented technology can be applied to different plants such as rose, olive, ginseng, black soybean, and broccoli, BIOFT can develop plant-derived PDRN optimized for each client’s brand direction and product concept. For clients, this means securing an ingredient that sets them apart from competing products and strengthening product uniqueness from the planning stage onward.
Building on this patented technology, BIOFT is pursuing the development of ingredients for a range of skincare purposes, including moisturizing, skin barrier reinforcement, and wrinkle improvement. The company plans to continue expanding the applications of plant-derived PDRN, with its molecular weight reduction technology and customized manufacturing capabilities as its two main pillars. The industry is watching closely to see whether plant-based high-performance materials can establish themselves as a new option in a PDRN market that has long centered on animal-derived ingredients.
