[Edaily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and polynucleotide (PN), which were primarily used in dermatological injection treatments, are rapidly expanding into the cosmetics market. Product forms have diversified beyond ampoules and creams to include toner pads, gel and sheet masks, lip patches, cleansers, and microneedle patches.

Amid this trend, PharmaResearch, a leading company in the PDRN and PN sector, has entered the microneedle patch market. With competitors such as DAEWOONGPHARMACEUTICAL(069620) having already launched PDRN patches, the entry of Rejuran is expected to accelerate the popularization of this nascent market and intensify competition among companies.

PDRN: From Dermatological Injections to Creams, Masks, and Patches

According to PharmaResearch(214450)on the 19th, the “Rejuran Eye Shot c-PDRN Patch” was launched at Olive Young on the 11th. This product was created through a partnership in which PharmaResearch supplies its proprietary patented ingredient, “DOT c-PDRN,” and Raphas Co., Ltd.(214260)develops and manufactures it as a microneedle patch.

PDRN is a purified substance consisting of fragments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extracted from salmon germ cells. Until now, dermatologists have primarily used “skin boosters”—which involve directly injecting PDRN or PN (which has a higher molecular weight) into the skin. However, as consumer awareness and demand for PDRN have grown, there has recently been an increase in PDRN-based cosmetics that can be used at home without medical procedures.

Products ranging from PDRN-infused ampoules, creams, and toner pads to gels, sheet masks, cleansing balms, cleansing milks, hydrogel lip patches, and even microneedle wrinkle patches have been launched. In the case of PDRN microneedle patches, DAEWOONGPHARMACEUTICAL(069620)sells the “EasyDerm PDRN Collagen Wrinkle Patch,” and Raphas Co., Ltd. also launched its own product, “Retial-N,” which combines retinol and PDRN, in May of last year.

The significance of this product lies in the fact that Rejuran—a leading brand in PDRN and PN—has entered a market initially established by existing companies. PharmaResearch applies c-PDRN—which uses its patented DOT manufacturing technology to optimize the molecular weight and composition of DNA extracted from salmon germ cells for use in cosmetics—to its related products. As the Rejuran product line, which was previously centered on in-clinic procedures and topical cosmetics, expands to include at-home patch treatments, the likelihood that PDRN patches will grow beyond a niche product into a standalone market has also increased.

A PharmaResearch representative “The Eye Shot Patch stands out because it features a high concentration of DOT c-PDRN—Rejuran Cosmetics’ proprietary patented ingredient—and is designed around this key component,” adding, “The 8.8% c-PDRN concentration is the highest among Rejuran Cosmetics products and the highest among patches sold at Olive Young (as of August 10).”

Features 8.8% c-PDRN… Delivers High-Concentration Microneedles

Due to its large molecular weight, PDRN cannot easily penetrate the stratum corneum simply by being applied to the skin. While typical ampoules, creams, and masks are applied to the skin’s surface, microneedle patches insert microscopic needles—made of active ingredients—directly into the stratum corneum. The needles then dissolve upon contact with the skin’s moisture, delivering PDRN to the targeted area. This is why microneedle patches are expected to offer higher delivery efficiency than other PDRN cosmetics.

In particular, incorporating a high concentration of PDRN increases the absolute amount of active ingredient that can be contained in a single patch. While separate comparative tests are needed to determine whether the actual skin-improving effects are superior to those of competing products, the amount of PDRN that can be delivered can be increased even when considering that not all of the needles inserted into the skin are absorbed.

The new product contains approximately 8.8% c-PDRN. “Rejuran Healer,” a product commonly used in dermatology clinics, has a PN concentration of 20 mg/mL, or approximately 2%. Of course, Rejuran Healer is a medical device that injects PN directly into the dermis, whereas this new product is a cosmetic that solidifies PDRN, so efficacy cannot be simply compared based on concentration alone. However, when comparing only the labeled concentrations, this patch is approximately 4.4 times higher.

Raphas Co., Ltd. explained, “While injectable products can effectively deliver ingredients because they are administered directly into the skin, not all of the 8.8% contained in the patch is absorbed by the skin.” They added, “Nevertheless, compared to existing cosmetics or PDRN patches, which typically contain around 0.5%, this product has increased the concentration by more than 17 times.”

Achieving such a high concentration is no easy feat. This is because as the PDRN concentration increases, its characteristic high viscosity and hydrophilicity can prevent the needles from forming properly or cause them to lose strength. Raphas Co., Ltd. explained that it resolved this issue by redesigning the drug delivery system (DDS) matrix.

Raphas Co., Ltd. representative elaborated, “While our proprietary product, Retial-N, focused on stabilizing a combination formulation that integrates retinol and PDRN, this new product focuses on maintaining the bioactivity of c-PDRN and delivering it precisely to the eye area,” adding, “We loaded high-concentration c-PDRN onto the needles while preserving its molecular structure and bioactivity without thermal denaturation.”

PharmaResearch also cited Raphas Co., Ltd.’s capability to stably load high-concentration raw materials as the reason for selecting the company. Unlike the conventional mold method—which involves placing raw materials in a metal mold and drying them with heat or UV light—Raphas Co., Ltd.’s DEN process uses the viscosity of the raw materials and airflow to form microneedles at room temperature.

A PharmaResearch official stated, “We evaluated potential partners based on their manufacturing capabilities to stably achieve the characteristics of DOT c-PDRN while loading it at high concentrations,” adding, “We assessed Raphas Co., Ltd. as a suitable partner because it possesses production technology capable of creating relatively long microneedle structures and loading c-PDRN at high concentrations.”

Raphas Co., Ltd. delivered the initial shipment to PharmaResearch at the end of last month and expects to recognize related revenue starting in the third quarter. Although PharmaResearch has not disclosed specific sales targets, it plans to launch full-scale promotions in the second half of this year, primarily through Olive Young.

The possibility of overseas launches and future collaborations remains open. Rejuran Cosmetics has already expanded into the U.S., China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, and these markets are expected to serve as a springboard for the “I-Shot Patch” to enter international markets. PharmaResearch official stated, “We plan to expand our product lineup, focusing on the overseas markets where Rejuran Cosmetics has already established a presence,” adding, “First, we will closely monitor the market response and consumer reviews for this product, and then consider overseas sales and additional collaborations based on country-specific demand, business viability, and distribution environments.”