Developing novel inhibitors of malodour precursor transport in the human axilla.

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Deodorants and antiperspirants are among the most important personal care products used every day. As consumers are demanding more from their personal care products, healthcare companies are constantly trying to improve the end-user experience of their products. Unilever, is the market leader with >40% market share, driven by sales of its 3 main brands, Rexona (Sure), Axe (Lynx) and Dove. Current product technology is based mainly on aluminium-containing antiperspirant salts (which also act as antimicrobials), antimicrobial solvents (ethanol, glycols) and fragrance. There is a demand for more targeted interventions, such as interfering directly with the formation of malodour at the molecular level. The production of body odour (BO) occurs during the normal growth of harmless bacterial communities that live on underarm skin, often called skin commensals or the skin microbiota. These bacteria acquire nutrients through the uptake of molecules secreted from the eccrine, sebaceous and apocrine glands in our skin. One of these molecules is a sulphur-conjugated peptide, which is secreted from the apocrine gland and recognised by a transport system designed to move peptides into the bacterial cell. Once inside the cell, the sulphur part of the molecule is split from the peptide and escapes from the bacteria, either through active transport or simple diffusion. Once on the skin, this volatile compound evaporates from the body and enters the air surrounding the individual as body odour. Inhibiting the bacterial transporter responsible for the uptake of the key precursor to thiol-based malodour represents a completely novel approach that holds great potential. For safety reasons, the market potential for a new odour-control technology lies, at least initially, in the non-aerosol segment, which represents about 10% of Unilever's business. The aim of this collaborative LINK award is therefore focused on developing a set of targeted inhibitors against the transport system responsible for the uptake of the odourless sulphur-conjugated peptide, thus eliminating one of the main causes of BO in the underarm. A commercialised peptide transporter inhibitor could potentially create a ~Euro200K per annum business for the new technology manufacturer. Furthermore, given the radical nature of the technology, its launch would be expected to result in significant market growth. This might mean growth of ~10% pa in the first 3 years for Unilever's non-aerosol business, equivalent to ~Euro300 million in cash turnover. There is thus clear potential to benefit the UK economy and to create new jobs for both the chemical supplier and Unilever, which has a global development and manufacturing site in Seacroft near Leeds.