Augustinus Bader Co-Founder & CEO: Charles Rosier – Stem Cells, Sacrifice & Building a Skincare Icon

Scientific concepts, discoveries, and nature/biological phenomena discussed

Stem cells & wound healing (scar-free vs. scar-forming)

• A central scientific idea attributed to Augustinus Bader is that the body contains dormant stem cells.
• The difference between perfect (scar-free) healing and imperfect healing with scars is described as coming from missing or altered biological signals that should awaken/activate these dormant cells.
• The discussion frames this as a shift from the conventional view (“we need to add more stem cells”) to a signals-first view (“we already have enough stem cells; we must trigger them correctly”).

Tissue engineering & cell culture

• Bader’s background is described as including work on:
  • Organ transplant research (including liver transplant)
  • Artificial livers
  • Cell culture
  • Early tissue engineering (first generation) and stem cell science (including cultivation of stem cells).

Burn/wound outcomes enabled by a topical “wound gel”

• A personal anecdote describes severe pediatric burns (second/third degree) treated with a wound gel developed from the underlying medical technology.
• The claimed outcome: avoidance of scar formation and reduced need for skin grafting (noted as potentially important for growth and re-operations, e.g., reopening wounds across toes/foot growth).

Skin biology & cellular signaling (skin care mechanism)

• The product concept is described as being built around a proprietary ingredient (e.g., referenced as TFC8) intended to:
  • Optimize cellular communication so skin can “do the job” effectively.
  • Support healthy skin and elasticity.
• Wrinkle reduction is discussed in terms of maintaining elasticity (wrinkles are presented as related to loss of elasticity).

Product development & clinical timelines

• The biotech-to-cosmetic translation is described as requiring long development cycles, with:
  • Clinical trials typically ~7-year cycles for product approval (as stated).

Packaging-related “medical” symbolism (not a scientific claim of mechanism)

• Copper is discussed as having historical antimicrobial associations (e.g., copper used in hospital contexts and copper vessels for water storage), presented as part of branding/packaging rationale rather than a demonstrated mechanism in the conversation.

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Methodology / process outlined (as described in the conversation)

• Medical research phase

  • Investigate what signals activate dormant stem cells and drive scar-free healing.
  • Develop a technology used in wound care (e.g., a gel).

• Translation to consumer/skin-care product

  • Convert the medical technology into a skin-care approved product.
  • Use time-intensive development (stated: ~1.5 years to translate into skin care, plus longer overall clinical timelines referenced elsewhere).

• Business model strategy

  • Create a biotech company plus a consumer goods/skin-care company.
  • Use profits from the consumer product/brand to finance the biotech/medical research.

• Brand evolution for democratization

  • Continue scientific evolution of proprietary ingredients (stated: TFC8 and an evolution to TFC5 with a collaboration).
  • Partner to reach younger audiences and broaden affordability (Dua collaboration).

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Researchers / sources featured (named)

• Hans Peter Meyer (named as one of the professors associated with liver transplant work in Europe)
• Christopher Columbus (mentioned in relation to historical copper-water storage, as a historical reference)
• Jacques Vera (investor mentioned as funding the company; self-made French billionaire)
• Goldman Sachs (employer/source of reference in Charles Rosier’s background; institution, not a person)
• BTG Pactual (Brazilian bank; employer/background reference; institution)

(No other individual researchers are clearly specified beyond Hans Peter Meyer; most additional references are brands/companies rather than researchers.)