In the field of beauty and skin care, anti-aging and moisturizing products have always been the categories that consumers are keen to buy, and the market size of it is constantly expanding. According to statistics, the use rate of anti-aging facial skin care products among female consumers has exceeded 80%. But in addition to meeting the needs of anti-aging, consumers increasingly want a skin care product that has comprehensive functions.

According to the 2024 China anti-aging Product report released by Mintel, on the Tmall platform, skin care products containing moisturizing, repairing, anti-wrinkle, tightening, freckle whitening claims almost accounted for all sales share in 2022-2023 (see gragh), which also reflects consumer’s attention to these effects, and the comparison found that it contains anti-wrinkle tightening The market share of functional products in 2023 is 6% higher than last year, indicating the increasing demand of consumers to fight aging.

Papain is a natural ingredient that has exfoliating, whitening, repairing, antioxidant, anti-aging and other comprehensive functions. Nowadays, papain products are highly valued for their skin-repairing and skin texture-improvement properties.

So, we want to design a skin care product that focuses on anti-aging, moisturizing and other comprehensive functions with papain.

Figure 1 2022-2023 Sales Share of Facial Skin Care Products with Different Efficacy On Tmall

To initiate a company, we must first ensure that our product can develop sustainably to maintain itself in the long run, be successfully applied in society, and have a clear vision of subsequent advancements in order to attract potential stakeholders and investors. Hence, we have developed a 5-year business plan, which encompasses the final product, marketing strategy, R&D optimization, impacts in the short-term and in the long-term, and financial forecast of profits and expenses, etc. We have also incorporated advice from experts in various fields such as financial leasing, biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering, regulatory law, and ESG to address some of the uncertainties we are facing.

High Cost

Now the luxury skin care brand’s products are generally expensive, but the effect of lower-priced skin care products may not be obvious. The product we want to design contains papains, the process of getting papains also has relatively high cost, because Traditional extraction methods are labor-intensive and require continuous extraction from papayas, which cost a lot.

Insignificant or unstable Skincare Effect

Some products that claim to have whitening, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing and other effects are not obvious in actual use.

Meanwhile, some skin care products have a certain effect in the early stage of use, but the effect gradually weakens after long-term use, and even the skin tolerates the product and other problems, which cannot continue to meet consumer’s expectations for skin improvement.

Single-function without Comprehensive Skincare

Existing skin care products are not comprehensive, most products only focus on unilateral effects, and consumers often want a product to solve a variety of skin problems at the same time, such as both moisturizing and anti-aging, or both whitening and repair. It is difficult to find a product that can have comprehensive skin care benefits, which makes it difficult for consumers to make choices when purchasing. Most papain products focus solely on basic cleansing, which lacks functional diversity.

Fake Advertising of Skincare Products

Consumers will be deceived by false publicity in some advertisements, which further leads to consumer’s difficulty in selecting effective and easy to use skin care products.

Why

Our mission is to provide the skincare industry with papain-based active ingredients that are versatile, more effective, and cost-efficient. Current market solutions often face limitations such as high production costs, unstable efficacy, or limited application scope. By leveraging papain’s natural proteolytic properties, we aim to create products that enhance skin renewal, exfoliation, and healing functions. Ultimately, we seek to make high-quality skincare ingredients more accessible to both manufacturers and end-users.

How

To achieve this, we will systematically analyze the efficacy, potential applications, and possible side effects of different papain isozymes. Through comparative biochemical assays and dermatological testing, we will identify the isozyme with the most significant therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. Special focus will be given to stability, activity under different skin conditions, and safety profiles to ensure broad commercial applicability. This evidence-driven selection process will maximize both scientific value and market competitiveness.

What

Based on the findings, we will employ synthetic biology techniques to biologically synthesize five distinct papain isozymes in E. coli. Using recombinant expression systems, we can achieve scalable, consistent, and cost-effective production while ensuring environmental sustainability. These engineered isozymes will serve as the foundation for developing next-generation skincare ingredients. The resulting products will be optimized for integration into creams, serums, and other formulations, paving the way for large-scale commercialization.

The demand for natural and effective skincare ingredients is growing steadily, with papain showing strong market potential due to its mild exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, and skin-renewal properties. Globally, the papain market across multiple industries is projected to reach USD 65.6 billion by 2035, while its application in cosmetics and personal care alone is expected to expand from around USD 960 million in 2024 to USD 1.63 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of over 6%. More focused reports on papain powder for cosmetic use estimate growth from USD 197 million in 2024 to USD 274 million by 2033. Across different market studies, the cosmetic papain sector consistently shows CAGR values between 5–10%, with some optimistic projections exceeding 12%. This steady expansion reflects consumer’s rising preference for natural, safe, and “clean-label” ingredients in skincare. As such, papain-based formulations occupy a growing niche within the global skincare market, offering significant opportunities for innovative products that highlight specific isozyme advantages and differentiated efficacy.

Political

Supportive government policies for environmentally friendly, safe, and high-tech products create favorable conditions. China's political stability benefits sustained product development, while its consistent interest in foreign trade facilitates the export and sale of our products.

Economic

China’s economic growth has significantly boosted consumer purchasing power. Increased disposable income has strengthened consumer spending capacity, driving overall expansion within the skincare market.

Social

China’s growing aging population is fueling demand in the anti-aging skincare market. More consumers are adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyles. There’s also a clear preference for skincare products that are mild, safe, and suitable for sensitive skin.

Technological

The government actively promotes innovation and development in high-tech products, resulting in a relatively high-end level of innovation. Consumers exhibit strong technological awareness and gravitate towards purchasing high-tech offerings.

Legal

Strong intellectual property protection laws create significant barriers to competition, safeguarding innovations and deterring imitation.

Environmental

Weather conditions can impact the sourcing of raw materials. Additionally, the global focus on environmental protection and sustainability presents a market opportunity that benefits our eco-conscious products.

Figure 2 Porter's Five Forces

Bargaining Power of Suppliers (low)

The bargaining power of suppliers is low. Since our raw material is papain and its isoenzymes which can be obtained by synthetic biology technology. Once we successfully produced papain and its isoenzymes by escherichia coli [BL21(DE3)], they can be expressed in a massive scale.

Bargaining Power of Buyers (high)

The bargaining power of customers is high. According to the public questionnaire we conducted, nowadays, the use of papain in skincare products is low. In order to attract skincare product manufacturers to use papain, we need low price. Also, manufacturers are good at bargaining.

Threat of New Entrants (medium)

The threat of new entrants is in medium level. Currently, synthetic biology techniques using E. coli for protein production are quite mature. While new entrants could also adopt this technology, our R&D process is complex. It would take time for them to catch up with our progress.

Threat of Substitutes (low to medium)

The threat of substitutes is between low and medium level. The substitutes of papain and its isoenzymes are other enzymes and present chemicals, including salicylic acid and lactic acid. Nowadays, the use of enzymes is low, so threats of other enzymes is not significant. For present chemicals, according to our questionnaire, customers expect products that are safer and more suitable for sensitive skin.

Rivalry Among Existing Competitors (medium)

Rivalry level among existing competitors is low to medium. According to the public questionnaire we conducted, people expect safer and more environmental-friendly products. So the rivalry level of present chemical skincare products, such as salicylic acid is not significant.

In conclusion, according to Porter’s Five Force, papain and its isoenzymes show strong commercial potential in the skincare industry.

Strengths

Papain and its isoenzymes offer remarkable strengths in skincare, making them a well-rounded and highly effective choice. As a natural multifunctional ingredient, papain acts as an excellent exfoliator, promotes skin whitening, reduces wrinkles, and aids in skin repair, delivering comprehensive skincare benefits. Its gentle and mild nature makes it suitable even for sensitive skin, significantly lowering the risk of irritation and inflammation. Additionally, papain is environmentally friendly and economical, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for skincare formulations. With a wide range of applications, from cleansers to serums, it caters to diverse skincare needs. Furthermore, the advanced technology involved in its development ensures high efficacy while making it difficult for competitors to replicate.

Weaknesses

Papain and its isoenzymes have some weaknesses that require further research for optimal skincare applications. One key challenge is stability——papain can degrade under certain conditions, affecting its efficacy in formulations. Additionally, its performance may vary depending on pH, temperature, and other factors, meaning application conditions need more thorough investigation. The long-term effects of papain on the skin remain unclear, necessitating extended studies to ensure safety over prolonged use. Overuse of papain can break down skin proteins excessively, compromising the skin barrier.Another concern is its potential to cause allergic reactions in some individuals, as the allergenicity of papain and its isoenzymes has not been fully explored. Addressing these gaps through further research will be crucial to maximizing the safe and effective use of papain in skincare.

Opportunities

Papain and its isoenzymes present significant opportunities in the skincare industry, driven by several growing market trends. The rising demand for gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly products aligns perfectly with papain’s mild and non-irritating properties, positioning it as an ideal ingredient for this expanding segment. Additionally, increasing public awareness of sustainable and eco-friendly production enhances the appeal of papain, as it is a natural, biodegradable enzyme with minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, the booming social trend toward anti-aging skincare creates a strong opportunity, as papain’s exfoliating and collagen-stimulating effects can help reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.

Threats

A major threat to papain’s skincare adoption is low consumer awareness. As a less familiar ingredient compared to established actives like retinol, its benefits remain unclear to many buyers. Without proper education, consumers may hesitate to try papain or mistakenly associate it with irritation, despite its gentle nature. This knowledge gap could lead the market to favor more mainstream alternatives. The efficacy and safety of papain still need some time to be promoted and publicized..

Products which contains Papain

1. Jan Marini Clean Zyme

This product contains papain extracted from immature green papaya. The papain is claimed to act as a proteolytic cleanser that makes the skin smoother. The product costs $36.1 and is not widely sold (only 147 reviews on Amazon). The reviews are generally positive, though some showed allergic reactions to the product. Spa and massage businesses have been using it, and dermatologists would recommend this product, according to the reviews.

2. Jan Marini Skinzyme Facemask

This product also contains papain, but in the form of face masks. It should be used before the Clean Zyme so that the FaceMask can be washed away completely. The product is treated with safflower oil and honey as antioxidants to reduce irritation. The papain could be absorbed by the skin to break down the dead skin cells. Customers claimed that the product worked quite well and their skin showed significant improvements after using it several times, while few customers complained that there were no effects at all and their skin was irritated. Due to the unaffordable price ($87), this product is even less well-sold than the previous one.



Figure 3 Jan Marini Skinzyme Facemask Product Promotion Image

3. EUQEE Kojic Acid Papain Soap

This product contains turmeric, papain, sorbitol, and glycerine and is claimed to reduce dark spots on the skin and keep the skin lubricated while being safe for all skin types. The soap is not very popular either despite its extremely affordable price, but no feedback on allergy was given, meaning this product is mild as it was said in the description.



Figure 4 EUQEE Kojic Acid Papain Soap Product Promotion Image

4. Lucas\u2019 Papaw Ointment

This is the best-selling papaya product. It is used worldwide for various purposes: healing dry chapped (even wounded) skin and lips, treating red skin and heat rash, calming the sting sensation, and soothing minor burns. The proportion of enzyme is high in this product, so it’s not suitable for daily use, but it could be kept as part of a domestic emergency kit. It is also mild and safe enough to be used on baby’s skin.

Figure 5 Lucas' Papaw Ointment Product Promotion Image

Components with Similar Functions as Papain

Papain has functions including gentle exfoliation, evening skin tone, relieving irritation, and recovering acne, while bromelain has similar effects.

1. Fruit enzymes (such as bromelain, pumpkin enzyme, etc.)

Similar to Papain, fruit enzymes can also exfoliate the skin gently, therefore, the products with these enzymes are often tagged as natural and suitable for sensitive skin. Brands like Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, and Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel use this enzyme as the main ingredient. The benefits of this ingredient include brightening the skin and non-irritation to the skin. The weaknesses are ineffective and allergies.

2. Ascorbic acid

This component is specialized in whitening, brightening the skin, and improving uneven skin tone. It is especially effective in antioxidation, protection of skin from free radical damage, and inhibition of melanin production, so it is wildly used in anti-aging products such as Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C & Turmeric Face Oil, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. However, negative feedback like irritation, sensitivity to sunlight, and hard to store.

3. Niacinamide

This component is a skincare darling that is favoured by many famous brands including Cerave, L’oreal, and The Ordinary. It is non-irritated with many benefits like evening out skin tone, reducing stains and redness, whitening, improving skin barrier, and so on. The effects are genuinely fast ---- significant changes occur within a few months. The only weakness is the greasy texture, making it only suitable for dry skin.

Product: Goods or services provided by companies to meet customer needs.

Our product consists of specialized papain isoenzyme formulations designed for various industrial sectors. We offer consistent quality with a focus on meeting industry standards and specifications. Packaging is provided in bulk quantities (e.g., 25kg drums) suitable for manufacturing environments. Our branding emphasizes reliability and effectiveness in industrial applications. Comprehensive after-sales support includes application assistance and troubleshooting to ensure optimal customer experience. We continuously monitor market needs to update our product offerings accordingly.

Price: How much customers are expected to pay for the product or service.

Our pricing strategy reflects the unique value proposition we offer to industrial customers. We employ value-based pricing that considers the cost-saving benefits and performance advantages our products provide in customer operations. Volume-based pricing tiers are available for large-quantity orders, with discounts scaling with purchase volume. Introductory pricing may be offered for initial trial orders to demonstrate product effectiveness and build long-term relationships.

Place: How the product is delivered to customers.

Our distribution approach is designed specifically for business customers. We utilize both direct sales channels, where our representatives engage with large manufacturing clients, and distributor partnerships that provide access to small and medium-sized enterprises. Logistics partners are selected for their ability to handle industrial quantities and maintain product integrity during transportation. Online platforms serve primarily as information resources for potential business clients.

Promotion: Activities used to raise awareness and persuade customers to buy.

Our promotional activities target industry professionals and decision-makers. We participate in relevant trade shows and industry exhibitions to showcase our products and connect with potential clients. We produce case studies and application notes that demonstrate successful implementations. Direct sales efforts include sample programs for qualified prospects. Relationship building through industry networks and associations forms a key part of our outreach strategy.

Our B2B model targets affordable skincare brands and manufacturers seeking cost-effective, high-performance ingredients. These customers prioritise balancing efficacy with low production costs. And the isoenzyme of papain that we found through synthetic biology significantly reduced cost (compared with the traditional plant extraction of papain), making it their ideal choice. The skincare industry is shifting from harsh acids to gentler enzymes for exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, aligning with our product’s value proposition. We offer a competitively priced enzyme that meets demand for mild yet effective formulations. This positions us well in the growing market for enzyme-based skincare, where brands need affordable, innovative ingredients to cater to price-sensitive consumers.

Figure 6 Business Model Canvas

Value Proposition

Our core value lies in providing highly specific papain isoenzymes with tailored activity for precise applications, such as gentle food processing or targeted drug delivery. These enzymes offer enhanced stability, maintaining activity under extreme pH and temperature conditions, which reduces usage costs for our clients. We achieve high productivity through our E. coli production system and possess the capability to develop custom isoenzyme blends to meet unique client needs.

Key Resources

Our operations rely on a set of key resources, which include lab space and equipment like chromatography systems for research, initial capital from investors and government subsidies for biotech startups, and expertise in enzyme engineering, protein purification, and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, our resources encompass patent attorneys specialized in biotech IP protection, contract manufacturers for pilot production scaling, and academic partnerships with university labs for technical validation.

Key Partners

Our success is intertwined with key partners. These include regulatory bodies for production license approval, venture capital firms focused on biotech as investors, and biotech associations for sharing market intelligence. We also collaborate with research institutions like universities with enzyme engineering labs for technical collaboration and depend on food and pharmaceutical ingredient distributors as channel partners to reach the market.

Channels

We reach our customers and promote our products through multiple channels. We leverage industry networks by exhibiting at biotech and food ingredient trade shows. Digital marketing efforts include social media and a company website hosting technical documents. Our sales team conducts direct outreach to R&D departments in food and pharma companies, and we also utilize partnerships with distributors to promote our products to smaller manufacturers.

Key Activities

Our key operational activities encompass securing production certificates from regulatory authorities for market entry, obtaining startup funding via investors, grants, or loans, and conducting isoenzyme activity testing under diverse temperature/pH conditions. We also develop marketing strategies for our products and brand, scale up production from lab to industrial levels, establish distribution networks involving direct sales and distributor partnerships, and collaborate with biotech firms and food/pharma companies for joint projects.

Customer Relationships

We focus on building and maintaining long-term collaborative relationships with our customers, particularly with food and pharmaceutical companies for joint innovation. To support our clients and maximize the value of our products, we provide dedicated technical support to help them optimize enzyme usage and application.

Customer Segments

Our customer segments are primarily divided into two groups: direct customers include cosmetic brands and pharmaceutical companies for use in drug formulations, while indirect customers consist of various research laboratories that utilize our products for scientific research.

Revenue Streams

Our revenue model includes both short-term and long-term strategies. Short-term revenue is generated primarily through direct sales of standard papain isoenzyme batches. Long-term, we plan to license our proprietary isoenzyme technology to large manufacturers and generate recurring revenue from providing custom enzyme blends.

Cost Structure

Our major costs consist of research and development costs (e.g., lab trials and purification optimization), regulatory costs (e.g., certification fees and compliance audits), production costs (including raw materials and equipment maintenance), marketing costs (e.g., trade show booths and technical documentation), and salaries for R&D scientists, regulatory specialists, and the sales team.

Phase 1: Research on Products and Marketing (0－2 Months)

• Collect relevant papers on papain in the field of skin care, make sure its function.
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of existing products, make sure the function of our own product.

Phase 2: Preliminary Experimental Verification (2–6 Months)

• Screen suitable enzymes and test.
• Establish a laboratory small-scale process for extraction/expression processes and test the initial activity of enzymes.

Phase 3: R&D Optimization & Pilot Development (6–18 months)

Step 1: Optimization & Formulation Research (6–12 months)

• Improve extraction or expression processes to enhance yield and enzyme activity while ensuring compatibility with skincare formulations.
• Extraction Process Optimization (for natural sources): Refine solvent systems, filtration, and purification techniques to maximize efficiency.
• Recombinant Expression Optimization (for bioengineering approach): Optimize strain selection, cultivation conditions, and protein expression strategies.
• Protein Purification & Stability Enhancement: Improve long-term storage stability using stabilizers and optimized drying techniques.
• Skincare Formulation Compatibility Testing: Assess enzyme stability in different emulsions and serum formulations.

Step 2: In Vitro Testing & Preliminary Safety Evaluation (12–18 months)

• Validate efficacy and safety before advancing to dermatological testing.
• In Vitro Skin Model Testing: Evaluate effects on exfoliation, absorption, and overall skincare benefits.
• Cytotoxicity Testing: Ensure safety for skin cells.
• Protein Degradation Study: Simulate skin conditions to analyze enzyme activity retention over time.

Phase 4: Large-scale production & Quality control (18-30 months)

Step 1: Trial production & Quality standard establishment (18-24 months)

• To establish a stable production process that meets industry quality standards.
• Small scale production (10-50L level) : Initial test of process feasibility and optimization of fermentation/extraction conditions.
• Quality control system: Establish product specifications (such as enzyme activity, purity, heavy metal residue, microbial detection).
• Stability test: Confirm changes in the activity of the product under different storage conditions (temperature, humidity, pH effects).

Step 2: Mass Production & Supply Chain Management (24-30 months)

• To optimize large-scale production and ensure supply chain stability.
• Pilot production (100-1000L level) : Establish a production process that complies with GMP (good manufacturing practice).
• Supply chain construction: Find suitable raw material suppliers and optimize production costs.
• Product regulatory filing: Prepare INCI applications, patent protection applications, etc.

Phase 5:Efficacy Verification & Marketing (30-36 months)

Step 1: Efficacy & Safety Clinical Testing (30-33 months)

• To verify the actual effect of the product in the population and ensure marketing compliance.
• Human volunteer test (30-40 people) : test the product’s effect on skin cuticle stripping and repair.
• Sensitive skin test: ensure no irritation to sensitive muscles and enhance product market competitiveness.
• Market feedback collection: Cooperate with skin care brands to conduct preliminary market response research.

Step 2: Marketing & Commercialization (33-36 months)

• To promote product commercialization, cooperation with skin care brands or private brand promotion.
• Business and business cooperation: Contact skin care brands and cosmetics companies to promote the use of raw materials.
• Patent & certification applications: Enhance product competition barriers and improve market acceptance.
• Final market promotion: Participate in industry exhibitions and online promotion to improve product awareness.

Figure 7 Project Timelines

Table 1 Financial Planning of Expenses and Revenue

Based on the provided financial projections, the business shows a typical startup trajectory, transitioning from initial losses to significant profitability over a five-year period.

Revenue starts at 600,000 in Year 1 and is projected to grow substantially to nearly 3.29 million by Year 5. This growth is driven by a combination of increasing sales volume (from 10,000 kg to 50,625 kg) and a price increase from 60/kg to 65/kg implemented in Year 4. The sales volume growth rate is 50% in Year 2, though the rates for subsequent years are not filled in, the calculated volume shows continued rapid growth.

The costs are divided into fixed and variable components.

Fixed Costs: Total annual fixed costs remain relatively stable around 387,000 for the first two years, then increase to approximately 461,400 - 469,400 for Years 3-5 due to the addition of office expenses and increased utility charges and promotion costs.

Variable Costs: These costs are tied to production volume. The unit cost is projected to decrease over time (from 40/kg to 25/kg), and the supply chain cost per unit also decreases (from 10/kg to 8/kg). This indicates expectations of improved production efficiency and economies of scale as volume increases. The total annual variable cost naturally rises with sales volume.

The company projects losses in the first two years (Net Income: -217,010 in Year 1, -117,010 in Year 2). This is common as initial revenues are insufficient to cover the high fixed costs and initial variable costs. A significant turnaround happens in Year 3, with the company becoming profitable (Net Income: 183,590). profitability increases dramatically in Years 4 (851,592) and Years 5 (1,525,592). This shift is caused by the growing revenue base surpassing the total costs, aided by the increasing sales volume, price increase, and decreasing unit costs.

Table 2 Risk Assessment

The table above lists several key risk categories and their corresponding mitigation measures. Technical risks mainly involve instability in enzyme extraction and expression. To address this, small scale trials should be conducted in advance to ensure consistency and identify possible hazards and running issues early. Regulatory compliances poses another risk, especially when considering China’s restrictions on enzyme concentrations and requirements for animal testing. To mitigate this, enzyme concentrations should be kept below 5%, and alternative testing methods such as in vitro hydrolysis of FN1 proteins can be used to avoid in vivo testing. Consulting regulatory experts early and allowing sufficient time for approval was also carried out. As for market competition, similar enzyme-based exfoliant products already exist. To distinguish ourselves from existing firms, the team plans to highlight the unique strengths of our product - such as sustainable development and more even exfoliation - while continuing R&D for innovation and leveraging our brand’s “concept hype”. Supply chain risks are also associated with the unstable availability of raw materials like papaya extract. To manage this, the strategy involves working with multiple suppliers and maintaining a buffer inventory of key components. Finally, concerns regarding the validity of our product’s sustainable claims may arise. These can be addressed by conducted an LCA to provide quantifiable evidence.

Papaya Potion is a passionate team of high school students from Ulink College of Shanghai, all dedicated to biology. Our school provides us with resources and encouragement to explore synthetic biology which is nessesary in our journey in iGEM. We are also grateful to our experienced supervisors and advisory board for their guidance. With teamwork and determination, we strive to make a meaningful impact. Learn more about our skills and efforts here.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” —— Helen Keller

Papaya Potion is a passionate team of high school students from Ulink College of Shanghai, united by our love for biology. Our diverse personalities and interests enable us to approach challenges creatively and collaboratively. While biology is our focus, we also explore marketing, interdisciplinary research, and practical problem-solving, helping us grow as well-rounded individuals prepared for real-world challenges.

We are grateful for the guidance of our supervisors and advisory board. Our supervisors provide us with essential laboratory and professional knowledge, helping us navigate scientific research complexities. Their mentorship ensures we stay on the right path and tackle difficult questions effectively. Layla Qin, our principle investigator, offers critical academic guidance, refining our project’s theoretical aspects and ensuring scientific validity. Additionally, our student advisor provides competition-specific advice, preparing us for the unique challenges of iGEM.

With the strong backing of Ulink College of Shanghai, we are confident in our ability to innovate and make a meaningful impact in iGEM. The help from our advisors and school gives us the strength to make a meaningful contribution to the skincare field and make Papaya Potion into a successful start-up.

Although papain isozymes have a base of applications, their research and commercial applications are still in the development stage, so it is important and critical to understand the stakeholders of the product, which will help us to assess the sustainability of the product, improve the performance of the product, control the cost and clear product positioning in the future market as a set of methods to integrate human practices. Using data from the survey and expert interviews during the project, we have visualized stakeholder needs for product functionality and price in the chart below (chart and data to be added). For example, beauty product manufacturers need to source raw materials at competitive prices, and to produce products with different specifications and functions, they need papain isoenzymes with individualized functions. For research institutes, they prioritize the performance of the raw material instead of the price of it, and depending on the direction of the research, both universally functional and individually functional papain isoenzymes may be needed. Depending on the direction of research, both universal and customized functions of papain isozymes may be required. Consumers, the end users of the product, demand for papain isoenzymes in skin care products is usually centered on efficacy and safety, with the requirement for products that can effectively exfoliate the skin, promote skin repair and reduce inflammation, and also with a high expectation for natural and safe ingredients, and they are willing to pay a certain premium for highly effective and gentle skin care ingredients, but price is still one of the important factors in the purchase decision.

In this project, we conducted interviews with experts in the fields of investment entrepreneurship and biomedicine. They provided us with technical advice and assistance in creating a business plan for the venture.

Technical Advice

Doctor Han Zhenggang is a lecturer at the School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Polytechnic University. His research focuses on protein crystallization and structure analysis, as well as industrial enzyme catalysis and transformation. Following his research on the molecular and biochemical characterisation of a bimodular xylanase from the Marinifilaceae bacterium strain SPP2, which is similar to our project, we were suggested that we could model the enzyme and learn about it through research, especially the functions related to its structure, and then modify the structure accordingly to understand the interactions between papain and the substrates in the skin. In addition, he advised us to try an alternative low-cost expression system, called Bacillus and previously applied by the iGEM team last year, instead of the E. coli expression system. The objective of this recommendation was to reduce expenses and facilitate the achievement of the marketing goal.

Commercialization Considerations

Mr. Zhang Andong is the chief expert of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry department of Powchan Financial Co., Ltd. Powchan Financial Co., Ltd. is a company that provides customers with comprehensive financial products and services, including financial leasing, commercial factoring, financing, trade, and technology updates. He proposed that we should increase the market penetration of our products. It is a relatively cost-effective approach to use online platforms such as Rednote, BiliBili and TikTok for a multi-dimensional and continuous promotion process. Notwithstanding the fact that the fundamental basis of Mr. Zhang Andong’s proposal was to sell products containing papain isoenzymes directly to end-users, he provided substantial support for the commercial viability of the project under discussion.

Suggestions on Laws and Regulations

In order to understand enzyme preparation compliance, standards, proper efficacy claims, commercialization risks and strategies, as well as industry trends and strategic advice, we interviewed Dr. Liu, senior Researcher at Mongoose and member of China Behavior Law Association. His insights highlight key focuses for papain product operations: clarify contractual responsibilities on quality, delivery and activity guarantees with suppliers and OEMs, pursue invention patents and design patents with international filing, enter EU/US markets via cross-border e-commerce trial sales or international certifications and adapt to tightening global cosmetics regulations on papain use.The interview reveals key takeaways for papain operations: clarify quality/delivery/activity obligations with suppliers/OEMs, pursue international patents (invention/design), enter EU/US markets via cross-border trial sales or certifications, and adapt to stricter global cosmetics regulations on papain use. These insights underscore the need for comprehensive risk control and strategic foresight in enzyme preparation compliance and commercialization.

Sustainable Development Goals

To explore how the papain industry aligns with SDGs, product promotion, and business strategies, we interviewed Miss Muro . As a top ESG blogger, founder of Inno ESG, and a key figure in international environmental youth activities with experience in 20+ listed company ESG projects, Miss Muro noted that papain may offer environmental benefits but requires third - party verification. She advised using a public - centric approach for social media promotion, obtaining international certifications for global credibility, and investing upfront to effectively communicate product sustainability for SDG integration. The interview highlights that the papain industry’s alignment with SDGs requires third-party verification of its environmental benefits. It emphasizes leveraging a public-centric social media strategy, acquiring international certifications for global trust, and making upfront investments to communicate product sustainability effectively. These insights show that integrating SDGs into business strategies demands tangible verification, credible branding, and proactive communication to drive both social value and market impact.

Environmental Sustainability

The widespread substitution of chemically synthesized ingredients with natural papain isoenzymes in skincare products is expected to significantly reduce the industry's reliance on petrochemical-based raw materials. This shift will lead to lower carbon emissions and less pollution throughout the manufacturing lifecycle, aligning with global sustainability goals and policies.

Enhanced Economic Accessibility

The low-cost and high-efficiency production methods developed for these isoenzymes have the potential to drive down the overall price of effective skincare. This increased affordability will democratize access to quality skincare, particularly benefiting low- and middle-income consumers who are often excluded from the high-end market.

Meeting Demographic Demands

Successfully scaling up isoenzyme production can facilitate the development of generalized, gentle skincare solutions. These products would be well-suited to address the specific needs of an aging population, such as milder exfoliation and maintenance of skin health, thereby improving the quality of life for elderly consumers.

Industry Standardization and Improvement

A thorough and successful assessment of the safety and efficacy of isoenzymes will necessitate and catalyze the development of more precise quality standards for enzymatic ingredients. This will raise the overall quality bar for the industry, enhance the consumer product supervision system, and provide better protection for consumers.

Technical and Stability Challenges

A primary long-term risk is the potential inferior activity stability of isoenzymes compared to traditional papain. Their activity is highly sensitive to temperature and pH, and any structural modifications might make it difficult to maintain a long-term catalytic effect within a skincare formulation. If the production process is not perfectly optimized, the quest for lower costs could come at the expense of enzyme activity and final product efficacy.

Safety and Consumer Trust Risks

Papain inherently carries a risk of irritating sensitive skin. If quality control for new isoenzyme-based products is not rigorously managed, it could lead to increased allergic reactions and safety issues. Such incidents would rapidly erode consumer trust and severely damage brand reputations, potentially stalling market adoption.

Market Competition and Quality Erosion

Positioning these products primarily as cheap alternatives could trigger intense price wars within the industry. This competition may squeeze profits for established brands and potentially incentivize some companies to cut corners on quality and safety controls to reduce costs, ultimately harming consumer safety and industry reputation.

Consumer Perception and Market Acceptance

Without robust, independently verified data to substantiate the benefits of isoenzymes, consumers and industry stakeholders may perceive them as mere “concept hype” or marketing gimmicks. This skepticism could significantly hinder consumer adoption, limit sales volume, and challenge the long-term commercial viability of the technology.

Ethical Controversies

The use of advanced techniques like genetic engineering to create or optimize isoenzymes may spark public debates and ethical concerns regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in cosmetics. Public resistance to GMOs could lead to market rejection and increased regulatory scrutiny.