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Tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained significant attention in skincare for its ability to treat hyperpigmentation by interrupting both pigment formation and pigment driven inflammation. Originally used medically to reduce bleeding, TXA inhibits plasma activity, a pathway recognised as relevant in pigment regulation. Its long clinical history means TXA enters cosmetic skincare with a stronger evidence base than many commonly used brightening ingredients. As its use grows, understanding how TXA performs within real formulations and on different skin types is essential for credible product development. What We Know: TXA (oral, intradermal and topical) improves melasma and other forms of hyperpigmentation, with significant reductions in MASI scores when compared to baseline or control (Calacattawi,et al, 2024). TXA decreases UV-induced melanocyte signalling, helping limit excess melanin production (Minasyan et al, 2024). TXA disrupts pigment transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes, improving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Chen et al, 2024). Topical TXA is well tolerated and can be paired with treatments such as microneedling, to enhance results, offering a safer alternative to stronger agents like hydroquinone (Konisky et al, 2023). Industry Impact and Potential: TXA’s multi-pathway action offers advantages for product development; Broad applicability -> Effective across varied pigmentation concerns including melasma, post inflammation hyperpigmentation and general uneven tone. Good tolerability -> Suitable for sensitive skin when formulated at low concentrations. Synergistic formulating -> Pairs well with niacinamide, vitamin C derivatives and retinoids for complementary pathways. Our Position: At Sequential, we help brands move from “TXA is trending” to “here is exactly what TXA is doing in this formula, on this skin.” We can help uncover what TXA is actually doing once it enters a full product system, how it interacts with other actives, whether it reaches relevant biological pathways, and how skin responds over time. Using our in-vivo testing frameworks, microbiome-aware models and multi-omic platforms, we can map changes in pigment biology, inflammation, and barrier behaviour . Our global database of 50,000+ samples allows us to benchmark TXA-containing formulations against diverse skin types, tones and real-world microbiome profiles, revealing who benefits most and why. References: Calacattawi, R. et al. (2024). Tranexamic acid for melasma: meta-analysis of RCTs. J Dermatol Treat, 35. Chen, T. et al. (2024). Tranexamic acid for hyperpigmentation disorders: an update. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 17, 2151–2163. Konisky, H. et al. (2023). Tranexamic acid in melasma: administration routes. J Cosmet Dermatol, 22, 1197–1206. Minasyan, M. et al. (2024). Oral tranexamic acid for PIH prevention and treatment. Dermatol Surg, 50, S219–S224.

Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, how they are expressed, modified and interact with the body. In skincare, proteomics is emerging as a powerful tool to understand how products influence skin function at a molecular level. Proteins play an important part in many skin processes and by analysing them, offers a more accurate picture of skin health, deeper than surface level observations alone. Unlike genomics, proteomics captures which proteins are present and active under specific conditions. What We Know: Proteomic analysis can identify shifts in structural proteins (e.g., keratin, filaggrin, collagen) associated with barrier strength and elasticity (Ma et al, 2020). Longitudinal proteomic monitoring reveals how products influence ageing pathways, including oxidative stress responses and collagen degradation (McCabe et al, 2020). Proteomics helps differentiate between short-term cosmetic effects and deeper, biologically meaningful changes (Benoit et al, 2023). Proteomics can be combined with microbiome data to show how protein changes relate to shifts in microbial activity, giving a clearer picture of overall skin health (Roux et al, 2021). Industry Impact and Potential: Proteomics opens new opportunities for product development; Targeted formulations:  By identifying protein level changes, more precise ingredient selection for specific skin concerns can occur. Personalised skincare:  Proteomic fingerprints may help tailor products to individual biological responses rather than general skin types. Credible product claims:  By combining proteomics with clinical endpoints, formulators can link specific protein changes directly to visible and functional outcomes. Our Position: At Sequential, we move beyond generic claims to generate clear, defensible evidence of biological impact. By integrating proteomic analysis with microbiome and multi-omic data from our global database of 50,000+ samples, we can determine exactly how formulations influence skin function over time. Our approach focuses on real-world evidence, quantifying changes in protein expression, barrier integrity and resilience, to support the development of products grounded in measurable outcomes rather than marketing terminology. References: Benoit, I. et al. (2023). A proteome-centric view of skin ageing and age-related pathways. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 16, 79–85. Ma, J. et al. (2020). Quantitative proteomics analysis of young and elderly skin. Aging (Albany NY), 12, 13529–13554. McCabe, M. et al. (2020). Alterations in extracellular matrix composition during ageing. Matrix Biology Plus, 8. Roux, P. et al. (2021). Integrative multi-omics reveals microbe–metabolite clusters linked to skin health. J Invest Dermatol.

For years, intimate care has relied on pH balancing as a measure of safety. However, pH alone does not protect vaginal ecosystems. Microbiome profiles differ widely between women based on hormones, ethnicity, contraceptive use, hygiene habits and life stage. Even pH-aligned products can still disrupt balance, reduce protective lactobacilli or slow recovery, leading to discomfort or recurring symptoms.   What We Know; Research highlights that: •      Vaginal microbiomes differ significantly between individuals and life stages, yet these variations can remain healthy (Condori-Catachura et al., 2025). •      Preservatives, surfactants and fragrance compounds can reduce lactobacillus dominance even when pH remains within recommended ranges (Han et al., 2021). •      Microbial recovery after disruption, particularly following antibiotic use or infection treatment, can take weeks  and with increased reoccurrence risks (Lehtoranta et al., 2020). •      “Gentle” or “pH-balanced” claims do not reliably protect against dysbiosis; true safety depends on strain-level preservation (Valeriano et al., 2024).   Industry Impact and Potential; Understanding these shifts means brands can now design products that better reflect real user needs: •      Lifecycle aligned solutions for key phases such as postpartum recovery, peri-menopause, or post-antibiotic care, where microbial disruption is most pronounced. •      More honest, evidence-based claims, moving beyond vague words like “gentle” or “pH-balanced” and focusing on real microbiome support. •      Clear guidance for users, helping people choose products that fit their unique microbiome or life stage, instead of assuming everyone needs the same thing.   Our Solution: Sequential evaluates how intimate-care products affect the vaginal microbiome in real use. Using qPCR, 16S, ITS and metagenomics, and drawing on a database of 50,000+ microbiome profiles, we measure effects on lactobacillus dominance, disruption and recovery over time. This evidence raises the standard for microbiome-safe intimate care, moving beyond pH-based claims toward solutions rooted in real biological protection.   References: Condori-Catachura, S. et al. (2025) Diversity in women and their vaginal microbiota. Trends in Microbiology, 33(11), 1163-1172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2024.12.012 Han, Yet al., 2021. Role of Vaginal Microbiota Dysbiosis in Gynecological Diseases and the Potential Interventions. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.643422 . Lehtoranta, L.,et al. (2020). Recovery of Vaginal Microbiota After Standard Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis Infection: An Observational Study.  Microorganisms ,  8 (6), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8060875 Valeriano, V., et al., 2024. Vaginal dysbiosis and the potential of vaginal microbiome-directed therapeutics. Frontiers in Microbiomes. https://doi.org/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1363089 .

Biomarker-driven clinical evaluation for dermatological therapeutics. Validated assays, targeted recruitment, and reproducible study design. Prove therapeutic efficacy with biomarker-driven clinical evidence Human Clinical Testing | Biomarker Discovery | Specialised Recruitment As a specialised CRO for dermatological therapeutics, we go beyond traditional study execution, delivering biomarker-driven clinical evaluation through validated assays, condition-specific expertise, and rigorous, reproducible methodologies. Design your clinical evaluation In dermatology, demonstrating safety and efficacy is essential, but often limited by how studies are designed and measured. Many studies rely on broad clinical endpoints or insufficient biomarker depth, making it difficult to: link outcomes to underlying biological mechanisms ensure data is physiologically relevant and reproducible generate evidence that meets increasing scientific and regulatory expectations Without a robust study design, validated assays, and appropriate candidate selection, even strong formulations risk producing incomplete or inconclusive data. We offer clinical evaluation, grounded in biology Sequential provides biomarker-driven clinical evaluation for dermatological therapeutics, combining human biomarker profiling, microbiome sequencing, and validated clinical endpoints. By connecting clinical outcomes with underlying biological pathways, we ensure data is biologically meaningful, reproducible, and generated under SOP-controlled conditions. Leveraging extensive internal datasets and condition-specific validated assays, we deliver high-quality, physiologically relevant data suitable for clinical development and regulatory use. The gap between clinical testing and biological understanding Deep experience across key dermatological indications, including acne, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and ageing-related skin changes. Condition-specific expertise Validated assays & panels SOP-backed, physiologically relevant assays designed for reproducibility, biological meaning, and regulatory alignment. Specialised recruitment Structured participant screening and standardized, non-invasive collection methods to ensure data integrity and scalable study execution. A rigorous, end-to-end clinical framework 1 Study Protocols & Design We collaborate with clients to develop study protocols tailored to their objectives and endpoints 2 Specialized Recruitment We can recruit ethnically diverse participants globally using GDPR-compliant, IRB-approved protocols to deliver timely, meaningful results for targeted populations. Our studies are conducted across three clinical testing facilities in New York, Cambridge (UK), and Singapore. 3 Non-Invasive Collection We ensure standardised, non-invasive sampling with clinically validated systems, delivering reproducible, globally consistent, and statistically robust data. Results Recruitment 4 Biomarker Discovery In our laboratory, samples undergo stringent processing to generate high-quality data using multi-omics technologies. We capture host and microbial responses from skin sites. 6 Biomarker Packages We design specialised biomarker packages informed by in-depth skin science, delivering relevant, quantifiable data to support therapeutic validation and product development. 5 Analysis & Reporting All data analysis and reporting are handled in-house, using controlled pipelines to transform complex multi-omics and sequencing datasets into actionable insights linked to customer endpoints, supporting therapeutic development and mechanistic understanding. Results Sequential Patch Results Multi-Omics Results Packages

Elevate your brand with skin microbiome science. Gain a competitive edge with certified, innovative personal care products rooted in robust research. in vivo Sampling is the Future of Microbiome Testing We lead in clinical microbiome research and testing offering a comprehensive end-to-end platform designed to bring science-backed solutions to the personal care and pharma industry. We offer an expansive platform to conduct research on personal care products through microbiome testing, biophysical assessments, and offer full recruitment services for studies. We are keen to publish our findings with our partners to increase the literature within this space. At present our database of over 20,000 human microbiome samples is one of the most sophisticated within the industry and is growing rapidly. Skin Test your skincare products, ranging from facial cleansers, serums, moisturisers, and SPFs. Scalp Test your scalp care products ranging from scalp serums, oils, shampoos, and conditioners. Vaginal Test your intimate care products, ranging from washes, to hygiene sprays, and balms. Oral Test your oral care products ranging from mouth washes and toothpastes. State of the Art Sequencing Using next-generation sequencing of the collection of micro-organisms found on the body, during product usage, Sequential investigates the microbial diversity, and particular micro-organisms we know are important and play a role in a healthy microbiome. With your pick from one of four sequencing reports, Sequential makes it easier to understand what depth of analysis is required for your particular needs. qPCR Microbiome (Bacteria+Fungi) Quantitative PCR (qPCR), also known as Real-Time PCR, is a method that Sequential uses in-house to measure the absolute number of copies of a microbial DNA defined by Sequential’s proprietary Smart Probes™. Using this method, we quantify the amount bacteria or fungi, allowing us to report level of species and strains within a given sample. The entire process is done at Sequential to ensure quality control, and extra control on your samples and privacy. Up Next-Generation Sequencing of ITS (total fungal population) ITS rRNA gene sequencing, or ITS amplicon sequencing is performed at Sequential to determine the relative abundance of taxa in a fungal community, and to compare between groups of interest. We know that fungi play a critical role in the microbiome of a healthy human, and it’s important to consider this application, especially for the scalp microbiome, and vaginal or vulva microbiome. We routinely offer two types of ITS rRNA primer regions: ITS1 & ITS2 Up Next-Generation Sequencing of 16S 16S rRNA gene sequencing, or 16S amplicon sequencing, is performed at Sequential to determine the relative abundance of taxa in a bacterial community, and to compare between groups of interest. This level of analysis can help to address changes in the overall bacterial profile over time or between treatment groups. We routinely offer two types of 16s rRNA primer regions: 16S V4 & 16S V1-V3 Up Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Shotgun metagenome sequencing is performed at Sequential for taxonomic profiling (diversity and abundance), as well as functional analysis across different organisms in a more exploratory approach. This complex technique allows for parallel sequencing of DNA from all organisms (bacterial, fungal, viral and human) within the community, with good coverage for species-level detection. The data generation allows for more advanced reporting and genome assemblies. Up FAQ What is Sequential's testing platform? Sequential has developed the gold standard test for microbiome-friendly products, in vivo (in, or on, humans). Finally, we can give some certainty about if a product is truly affecting the microbiome. We offer a complete end-to-end solution to support microbiome-friendly claims. From consultancy and study design to our proprietary microbiome testing kits. We analyse, interpret and report our findings to meet your needs. Why is it necessary to test the microbiome in vivo? At present, there are no regulations for microbiome-related formulas that brands and formulators can follow, however, it has been universally acknowledged that the in vivo method of conducting clinical studies is becoming critical and paramount to getting marketing claims through. When regulations are introduced, which may be imminent, the in vitro system will find itself lacking, resulting in limited claims and certifications that do not hold their value. This is why, we at Sequential strive to offer an in vivo approach, knowing full well that we want our client's claims to be significantly backed by scientific and quantifiable data. What type of sequencing technology does Sequential use for analysis? We offer four types of sequencing techniques including qPCR with our Smart Probes™, 16S, ITS and Shotgun Metagenomics. Using next-generation sequencing of the collection of microorganisms found on the body, during product usage, Sequential investigates the microbial diversity, and particular microorganisms we know are important and play a role in a healthy microbiome. Does Sequential offer claims certification for tested products? We provide our clients with a certification to claim “Maintains the Microbiome” subject to in vivo testing results which can be used in communication efforts. Once your product is tested with our qPCR Smart Probes™ and has shown favourable results in supporting the microbiome, we can certify your product with our Maintains the Microbiome certification seal. We have ensured that our seal and certification are backed by quantifiable data and scientifically significant markers. The aim is to ensure our clients feel confident in making their claims and can communicate the true benefit of their microbiome formulations.

Partner with a specialist CRO for microbiome, genomic, and biomarker analysis. Support complex studies with integrated, high-quality data. Extend your clinical capabilities with microbiome & multi-omics expertise SKIN | SCALP | INTIMATE | ORAL We partner with CROs to provide advanced microbiome, genomic, and biomarker analysis—supporting complex study requirements without compromising timelines, quality, or client expectations. Extend your study capabilities A specialist partner, integrated into your workflow Sequential acts as an embedded scientific partner, supporting CROs with advanced biological analysis while allowing you to retain full ownership of client relationships. We provide: Microbiome sequencing and analysis Multi-omics and genomic profiling Biomarker-driven study design Condition-specific expertise in dermatology Our team integrates seamlessly into your study workflow, ensuring: aligned protocols consistent data quality efficient communication across stakeholders When study complexity exceeds internal capabilities As clinical studies evolve, sponsors increasingly require: microbiome analysis genomic and epigenetic profiling biomarker-driven endpoints For many CROs, these capabilities are: not available in-house difficult to build quickly or inefficient to scale for specific studies This creates risk: delays in study delivery reliance on fragmented external vendors challenges maintaining quality and consistency Multi-omics expertise on demand Access advanced capabilities without the need to build internal infrastructure. Seamless integration into your workflows We operate as an extension of your team, aligning with your protocols, timelines, and client requirements. Quality reproducible data & results Validated assays, SOP-controlled processes, and in-house analysis ensure consistent, reliable outputs. A collaborative, CRO-aligned approach 1 Study Protocols Integration We align with your study design, endpoints, and client requirements to ensure seamless integration. 2 Sampling & Assay Execution We support non-invasive sampling and run validated microbiome and multi-omics assays under controlled conditions. 3 In-house analysis & interpretation All data is processed internally, ensuring quality, speed, and scientific consistency. 4 Reporting & delivery We deliver clear, structured outputs that integrate directly into your study reports and client deliverables. Results Sequential Patch Results Multi-Omics Results Packages