Born at Coppe: from the laboratory to the incubator, technology multiplies sun protection by 10 times

In Brazil, more than 185,000 people are diagnosed every year with skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA). It is the most common type of cancer in the country and, in many cases, could be prevented with proper sun protection care. For this reason, new solutions that increase the effectiveness of sunscreens and reduce health risks are gaining strategic importance — not only for the market but also for public health.

It was in this context that BioBeads® was born, a startup hosted at the Coppe/UFRJ Business Incubator. Originating in a Coppe laboratory, the technology promises to multiply sun protection by up to 10 times, using the same chemical compounds found in conventional sunscreens — but with a formula safer for both people and the environment.

The innovation replaces microplastics with biodegradable and biocompatible micro- and nanoparticles; reduces the use of chemical actives by up to 60%; and minimizes direct contact of these compounds with the skin. Thus, while decreasing the incidence of allergic reactions, it also prevents the contamination of rivers and oceans, preserving coral reefs and other marine life.

Part of this technology stems from the master’s and doctoral research of engineers Martina Pinto and Luciana Dutra at the Polymerization Engineering Laboratory (Engepol), within Coppe’s Chemical Engineering Program (PEQ). Today, in addition to working as postdoctoral researchers, they are part of the technical team and co-founders of BioBeads®, together with Rafael Lima, a PhD candidate at UFRJ’s School of Chemistry. Now, with two patents granted and support from agencies such as Faperj, CNPq, and Finep, the company is moving forward to bring its product to market, aligned with the principles of circular economy and sustainable biotechnology.

BioBeads® is part of Coppe’s incubation program, which focuses on four strategic areas: Health, Energy, Artificial Intelligence, and Social Innovation. “This support is essential for us to invest in cutting-edge equipment and infrastructure, as well as to transform high-level research into real solutions for urgent problems,” says Amon Costa, also a co-founder of the startup.

Within two years, BioBeads® aims to partner with a major cosmetics brand and place its sunscreen on store shelves, expanding public access to more effective and sustainable sun protection. Recently, it was approved under the public call “MCTI/FINEP/FNDCT Public Selection – Intellectual Property Commercialization Support Program”, which will further contribute to significant advances in its sunscreen-focused technology.

Learn more about BioBeads®.