Ashland biofunctionals pioneering research on epigenetic in good company with microRNA science that was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine

Wilmington, Del., October 31, 2024 – Ten years ago, Ashland pioneered epigenetic research harnessing the power of skin microRNA and plant small RNA into botanicals and peptides to deliver outstanding skin benefits. Today Ashland is in good company with Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, two American scientists’ whose discovery of microRNAs and their incredible power to regulate gene expression have earned the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

“MicroRNAs are part of non-coding small RNA family that act like a dimmer switch and fine-tune gene expression,” said Isabelle Imbert, PhD and R&D director, biofunctionals, Ashland.  “MicroRNAs are now recognized by the scientific community as ideal to improve skin health and prevent premature aging. The recent Nobel Prize supports Ashland research on epigenetic science begun in 2015, associated with skin miRNA and plant small RNA.”

Ashland’s PSR^™ (plant small RNAs) technology has been designed to selectively extract vegetal small RNA and active phytocompounds such as polyphenols, flower peptides, organic acids from botanicals to deliver remarkable efficacy to the skin.

“Since 2015 Ashland has been a front-runner in assessing skin microRNAs demonstrated by the commercialization of dermostatyl^™ IS biofunctional and elixiance^™ biofunctional said Justine Cotton, global marketing leader, biofunctionals, Ashland. “Over time in response to customer needs and consumer trends, we’ve built on initial research, continuing the exploration of nature and the capacity of plants to adapt in the environment. Since developing and patenting proprietary PSR^™ technology, Ashland plant small RNA technology uses iconic plants from Provence sourced closely to the Ashland research center in Sophia-Antipolis, France. These sustainably sourced, natural ingredients include the Centifolia rose for rosaliss^™ biofunctional, the Lavandula Angustifolia for nightessence^™ biofunctional and the Jasmine Grandiflorum for caressense^™ biofunctional.

For more information about this line of Ashland biofunctionals, please visit ashland.com/microRNA

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environment, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,200 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries.

Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more.

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Media Relations:
Linda Heider
lheider@ashland.com