What if skincare wasn’t just about appearance, but about supporting how your skin repairs itself? That question drives the work of Professor Augustinus Bader, a biomedical scientist whose research in regenerative medicine laid the foundation for one of the most discussed skincare brands in recent years. At the center of his formulations is TFC8® (Trigger Factor Complex 8), developed from decades of research into wound healing and cellular communication.
From regenerative therapies to science-led skincare
Vogue has highlighted how Augustinus Bader’s work bridges the gap between medical research and luxury skincare. Bader’s transition from regenerative therapies to beauty products is part of a broader movement in which technologies originally developed to treat serious skin conditions are now being adapted for use in anti-aging and daily skincare routines.
Alongside this, it has established partnerships with luxury and beauty brands such as LVMH, Harrods, Bulgari Hotels, Haider Ackerman, and notably a collaboration with Victoria Beckham that has introduced new hybrid products that combine cosmetic utility with research-based ingredients.
Who is Augustinus Bader?
Augustinus Bader is a luxury skincare brand founded on the scientific breakthroughs of Prof. Dr. Augustinus Bader, a German physician and researcher with more than 30 years of work in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. His commitment to healing was ignited during his time at the Ruijin Hospital Burn Center in Shanghai, where he witnessed the suffering of patients with severe burns and the limitations of traditional treatments due to scarring and repeated surgeries. This led him to develop a minimally invasive wound gel, introduced in 2008, which could heal severe skin trauma without the need for grafts or surgery.
Strong revenue backed by science and investors
Augustinus Bader has experienced rapid market growth since its launch in 2018, driven by its science-first positioning, premium pricing, and strong investor backing. In November 2022, the company closed a $25 million strategic funding round led by Impala and General Atlantic, with participation from high-profile figures such as Antoine Arnault, Natalia Vodianova, and Javier Ferrán (CEO of Diageo). This round valued the company at $1 billion.
On the revenue side, Augustinus Bader’s sales have been growing strongly every year. In 2023, the brand generated approximately US$100 million in net sales. That figure rose to over US$130 million in 2024, and reports suggest the company is targeting a 40 percent increase in 2025, despite broader challenges in the premium beauty sector. The United States remains its largest market, accounting for about 60 percent of total revenue.
How TFC8® became the foundation of a skincare brand
A key innovation from Bader is TFC8®, a proprietary blend of amino acids, vitamins, and signaling molecules designed to support the skin’s natural regeneration. Bader partnered with entrepreneur Charles Rosier to launch a consumer skincare line rooted in this science.
TFC8® is featured in various Augustinus Bader products, each designed to address specific skincare needs:
- The Cream: A lightweight daily moisturizer that hydrates deeply and helps improve the skin’s overall look.
- The Rich Cream: A luxury moisturizer that deeply hydrates, smooths fine lines, supports skin renewal and barrier function, and protects against environmental stress.
- The Essence: A fast-absorbing 3-in-1 formula that exfoliates, tones, and hydrates in one step, clearing and refining skin while improving texture, hydration, and radiance.
- The Serum: A serum that helps improve firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, boost hydration, and support the skin barrier for a smoother, more resilient, and refreshed complexion.
- The Rich Eye Cream: Eye cream that nourishes and hydrates the under-eye area while helping to firm skin, reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines, and brighten for a refreshed, rejuvenated look.
- The Cleansing Balm: A nourishing balm-to-oil cleanser that gently removes makeup, excess oil, and impurities while conditioning the skin, leaving it soft, soothed, and refreshed without disrupting the skin barrier.
Unlike trend-driven beauty brands, Augustinus Bader takes a science-based approach to skincare. Each product is developed from research in regenerative medicine and designed to apply biological principles to everyday skin concerns. This commitment to science is backed by a growing number of patents related to its key technology, TFC8®, which cover innovations in skin barrier repair, targeted delivery of active ingredients, and support for the skin’s natural renewal process.
Augustinus Bader: Patenting Activity
Augustinus Bader’s patent activity reflects a consistent focus on bridging regenerative medicine with cosmetic science. The company’s early patents, dating from 2007 to 2010, concentrated on the use of erythropoietin for promoting skin and corneal healing, demonstrating a foundation in tissue regeneration.
| Patent Family | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
| US8178745 | Plaster which releases active compound | 2007-07-09 | 2008-07-08 |
| US9101586 | Topical application and formulation of erythropoietin for skin wound healing | 2007-12-28 | 2008-12-20 |
| US20110020299 | Method and composition for the regeneration of tissue with the aid of stem cells or bone marrow cells | 2008-03-31 | 2009-03-24 |
| US9101692 | Rapid preparation and use of engineered tissue and scaffolds as individual implants | 2008-12-24 | 2009-12-23 |
| EP2590666 | Topical application of erythropoietin for use in the treatment of injuries of the cornea | 2010-07-06 | 2011-07-05 |
| US10456346 | Cosmetic formulations for topical applications containing erythropoietin-derived molecules | 2016-11-10 | 2017-11-07 |
| US20230135317 | Cosmetic formulation for topical administration comprising novel peptides that improve appearance and regeneration of skin | 2020-01-21 | 2021-01-18 |
| DE202018002411 | Medical device for generating and administering a spray containing Erythropoletin | 2018-05-16 | 2018-05-16 |
| US20240277779 | Skin care nutraceutical composition | 2021-06-28 | 2022-06-27 |
| EP4201418 | Hair care nutritional supplement composition | 2021-12-23 | 2021-12-23 |
*dataset includes assignees such as Augustinus Bader and ASC Regenity (ASC Regenity owns the Augustinus Bader brand)
Over time, this focus expanded and more recent patents, particularly between 2020 and 2022, highlight the use of peptides in cosmetic formulations designed to improve skin appearance, regeneration, and overall health. Notable examples include topical formulations with novel peptides and others containing erythropoietin-derived molecules, both designed to enhance skin regeneration and wound healing. Beyond cosmetics, some patents explore broader regenerative medicine applications, such as tissue regeneration using stem or bone marrow cells and devices for administering erythropoietin via spray.
Augustinus Bader: Top Technology Areas
The largest share of filings of Augustinus Bader falls under A61K which describes preparations for medical, dental, or toiletry purposes. This reflects the brand’s strong emphasis on science-backed formulations that bridge healthcare and luxury skincare.
Among the various categories, peptides (C07K) also stand out as a notable area of focus. Although a smaller portion of the portfolio, this category signals the brand’s growing interest in peptide-based technologies that play a key role in skin regeneration, signaling, and repair. This aligns with Augustinus Bader’s commitment to applying biomedical science to skincare, particularly in advancing next-generation products powered by targeted, functional ingredients.
Other significant areas include patents related to cosmetics and toiletry preparations (A61Q), methods for sterilising materials (A61L), and food-related compositions (A23L), which may reflect the brand’s broader interest in wellness and skin health from multiple angles.
Innovations for skin repair and regeneration
Human skin constantly faces stress, injury, and environmental damage. While the body has natural repair systems, these processes can slow due to aging, repeated damage, or severe injury. This may result in slower healing, scarring, or premature aging. Effective repair requires balance, too much cell growth can cause problems, while too little delays healing, and inflammation must respond adequately without becoming chronic. Over the years, peptide-based innovations have emerged to enhance skin repair, regeneration, and overall health.
Advanced peptide solutions for skin renewal and repair
U.S. Pat. App. No. 2023/0135317 presents peptide-based ingredients that help the skin repair and maintain itself. These peptides, naturally occurring or synthetic, support cell renewal, reduce irritation, and improve skin structure. They fall into three groups: (A) peptides that stimulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, (B) agonists of the EPOR/CD131 receptor, and (C) variants of human TGF-β3. They can be used alone or combined in skincare products.
A key innovation of this invention is the creation of “trigger factor complexes,” which combine two or three peptides from different groups to achieve synergistic effects. These complexes coordinate with local cellular environments, stem cell activity, and innate signaling pathways to optimize regenerative responses while avoiding interference in healthy skin.
Together, the peptides help the skin recover from damage, renew itself, and maintain a healthier appearance. The complexes are suitable for a wide range of skin conditions, allowing simultaneous application in a single formulation, and are intended for cosmetic applications such as skin repair, rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction, anti-aging, and improvement of dry or dull skin.
The patent application, titled “Cosmetic formulation for topical administration comprising novel peptides that improve appearance and regeneration of skin”, was filed on January 18, 2021, and was published on May 4, 2023. Finch & Maloney PLLC is representing the application.
Topical treatment that speedy skin recovery
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone that normally stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow by binding to its receptor (EPO-R), which is found on all blood-forming cells. Research has shown that applying EPO directly to the skin in a suitable formulation can accelerate healing of injuries or skin damage.
U.S. Patent No. 9,101,586 describes the use of EPO in a topical, gel-like formulation that stabilizes the protein and releases it slowly, allowing it to act directly on the local cells essential for tissue repair. When applied directly to a wound, the gel slowly releases EPO so it can work on the cells that are most important for healing. These include skin cells, hair root cells, and connective tissue cells, essentially the cells that actually rebuild damaged tissue.
By working locally on these cells instead of relying on the bloodstream, this approach avoids side effects that can happen with systemic treatments and allows higher amounts of EPO to be safely applied where it is needed. The gel is made from polymers like hydroxyethylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, which give it a thick, smooth texture and control the slow, steady release of EPO. Studies show that wounds treated with this gel heal faster and more completely, with up to 50% faster skin regeneration and 92–99% wound closure in just 4–8 days compared to gels without EPO.
The gel can also include other helpful ingredients, such as disinfectants, and can be applied via plasters, films, or other carriers to maintain consistent delivery. This invention offers a safe, effective way to speed up healing for a wide range of injuries, including burns, ulcers, chronic wounds, and even dental or mucous membrane damage, by directly stimulating the cells that drive tissue repair.
The patent titled, “Topical application and formulation of erythropoietin for skin wound healing”, was filed on December 20, 2008, and was granted on August 11, 2015. Ronald Kamis represented the patent during the filing.
EPO-derviced peptides for skin regeneration
Building on the regenerative potential of EPO, U.S. Patent No. 11,197,812 provides cosmetic formulations with new peptide-based ingredients derived from EPO, specifically modified so they do not affect red blood cell production.
These peptides target CD90-positive skin cells, which are crucial for regeneration and wound healing. Combined with lipids such as ceramides or phospholipids, they penetrate deeply into the skin and work synergistically with supporting ingredients to reduce inflammation, enhance blood flow, and improve overall skin health, boosting hydration, glow, and even reducing wrinkles.
The patent, titled “Cosmetic formulations for topical applications containing erythropoietin-derived molecules”, was filed on September 24, 2019, and was granted on December 14, 2021. The patent was represented by Michael Bujold and Jay Franklin from Finch & Maloney PLLC.
Augustinus Bader: Top Law Firms
Heumann stands out as the primary legal representative managing a significant portion of Bader’s intellectual property. Several other firms, including Yes My Patent, Lavery, and Davies Collison Cave, also appear to play notable roles in supporting the company’s broader patent strategy, likely managing filings in jurisdictions such as Canada and Australia.
In the U.S., Bader is represented by Davis & Bujold and Finch & Maloney. The data reflects a mix of international and specialized IP firms, indicating a global and multi-faceted approach to protecting the brand’s innovations in skincare.
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