Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V:SBM), a Vancouver biotech that has synthesized an “anti-freeze” protein found in Antarctic fish for use in humans, has lured the son and grandson of famed undersea explorer and marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau as brand ambassadors.
As reported recently in Business in Vancouver, Sirona’s French lab, TFChem, has found a way to synthesize a glycoprotein that prevents fish tissue from damage at extreme temperatures.
The Vancouver biotech believes there several possible uses for the protein in humans, including anti-aging compounds for skin.
Last year, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center signed a letter of intent with Sirona to use a skin cream the research hospital developed as a delivery vehicle for the compound Sirona has synthesized.
Sirona has announced Jacques Cousteau’s son, Jean-Michel Cousteau, and grandson, Fabien Cousteau, and Explore Green LLC have signed a collaboration agreement in which Explore and the Cousteaus will use their “media, scientific and commercial contacts” to promote the product.
"Our oceans cover more than 70% of the surface of Earth, yet we have explored less than 5% of it," Jean-Michel Cousteau said in a press release. "The future solutions to human health and our quality of life still remain to be discovered.”
Sirona is working with the Costeaus and Explore to develop criteria to establish the products Sirona develops as environmentally- and ocean-friendly.
“Sirona Biochem's anti-aging glycoprotein will be the first compound assessed using the newly developed criteria in the hopes that it will become the first Cousteau accredited-cosmetic compound in the world,” Sirona said in a press release.
