Interview with Gavin Tan, founding director and CEO of the CellResearch Corporation Group of Companies, the Singapore-based bio-tech company behind CALECIM Professional.
Gavin Tan cuts an impressive figure. Immaculately presented with an infectious vibrancy, his passion for stem cell research and its possibilities are both exciting and inspiring. We recently sat down with the CellResearch Corp CEO to learn more about his stem cell “eureka moment” and how this paved the way for his successful skincare cosmeceutical range, CALECIM Professional.
CellResearch, founded in 2002 by Tan and Dr Phan Toan Thang and Dr Ivor Lim, is behind the discovery that the umbilical cord lining of mammals is a rich source of stem cells. The trio patented culture techniques to isolate both epithelial stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells from the cord lining membrane. These cells hold special interest as they govern the body’s ability to heal and regenerate.
The numbers that can be harvested vastly exceeds any other source, including bone marrow and fat. The stem cells isolated from cord lining membrane are neonatal cells, and as such are much more potent and robust compared to their adult-sourced counterparts.
‘Fifteen years ago, we made the extraordinary discovery that the umbilical cord lining of all mammals is a very rich source of highly robust stem cells. Sourced sustainably and ethically from New Zealand red deer, we are able to take extracts from these cells for the first time ever at efficacious concentrations and apply them to skincare,’ says Tan.
First of its kind to use ethically sourced umbilical cord-derived stem cells
CellResearch owns 39 patents worldwide, including those for the extraction of stem cells from the umbilical-cord lining of all mammals, banking and cultivating them, as well as for therapeutic applications of those stem cells.
The biotech company has been in partnerships with numerous research institutions worldwide, including Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) and the University Heart Center in Hamburg.
It is working on a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) trial, using umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stem cells to heal chronic diabetic wounds.
Paving the way for CALECIM Professional
According to Tan, CALECIM Professional is the number-one cosmeceutical of its kind in the Singapore aesthetics market, where the company is headquartered. Today the brand is present in over 20 countries around the world and has been widely published in both medical and consumer press.
A first in anti-ageing skincare, the growth factors found in CALECIM Professional are derived from neonatal mammalian stem cells, which signal skin restoration in a way human skin cells can understand, and in a way plant-derived ingredients cannot – this is the first time that umbilical cord lining stem cells are being truly utilised in a topical skincare to promote optimum skin condition. This discovery is patent protected in 42 territories worldwide.
The stem cells are grown in a cultivating solution called Culture Medium, where they secrete cytokines, growth factors and proteins. Culture Medium which now contains all these proteins secreted by the Stem Cells is called Conditioned Media. The conditioned media is collected, leaving the stem cells behind, to make CALECIM Rejuvenating Conditioned Media. CALECIM Rejuvenating Conditioned Media is essentially a power cell-growth medium that has been conditioned by epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells.
Every CALECIM Professional product contains an optimal concentration of CALECIM Rejuvenating Conditioned Media, which works to visibly restore and rejuvenate the skin. Applying this rejuvenating conditioned media to the skin has shown to help reduce downtime post-procedure, dramatically improve the skin’s appearance, and effect visible enhancements in the skin over time. The result is the visible improvement of various ageing symptoms such as loss of skin fullness, volume, and facial definition, as well as appearance of lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and loss of skin density and elasticity.
‘The unique cytokines in CALECIM Professional help to trigger specific receptors on cell membranes, creating targeted responses and encouraging younger-looking, more light-reflective cells on the skin’s surface,’ explains Tan.
‘Today’s consumers are educated – they want more from their skincare and they question the efficacy and delivery systems of their products. With CALECIM, we can offer a skincare range like no other, essentially using stem cells to help your skin look younger.’
Benefits to aesthetic practitioners
‘When we were developing CALECIM Professional, one of the first things we asked ourselves was how can we benefit aesthetic doctors. Because CALECIM Professional helps to improve skin quality and texture, results from in-treatment procedures are optimised, reducing signs of irritation and downtime,’ says Tan.
The proteins from the umbilical stem cells don’t just affect the epidermis but also the dermis, giving the fibroblasts nutrients to support elastin and hyaluronic acid production, as well as offering proteins that calm signs of inflammation. This is what gives a visible lifting and plumping effect of the skin but also helps to encourage skin mobility and efficient epithelisation, particularly after the skin has been compromised such as after laser or microneedling treatment.
The comprehensive skincare range has five high-performance products and, in addition to post-procedure recovery, is designed to be used as an everyday skincare system to promote optimum epidermal cell turnover and visibly enhance skin restoration from environmental damage and the natural ageing process – making CALECIM Professional an excellent partner in any aesthetic practitioner’s clinic.
A new way to improve scalp and hair health
CALECIM Professional offers a new non-surgical solution to promote fuller, denser-looking hair, based on the same proprietary technology derived from mesenchymal stem cells that is found in its revolutionary post-procedure products and anti-ageing skincare range.
CALECIM Professional Advanced Hair System contains a high concentration of Rejuvenating Conditioned Media to help promote fuller-looking hair. This active ingredient works with in-clinic hair regrowth treatments and hair transplant procedures by providing a nutrient-rich microenvironment to help boost a restorative response.
CALECIM® Professional is distributed in Australia by Advanced Cosmeceuticals. For more information contact 1800 242 011, email cs@advancedcosmeceuticals.com.au or visit https://calecimprofessional.com.au/
