Silk Inc.

Evolved by Nature, formerly Silk Inc., is a biotechnology company founded in 2013 by Dr. Gregory Altman and Dr. Rebecca Lacouture. The founders, who have PhDs in Biotechnology Engineering and Biomedical Engineering respectively, leveraged their extensive research on silk's biocompatibility with the human body to create natural alternatives to petrochemicals used in consumer goods. Their journey with silk protein began at Tufts University and led to their first company, Serica Technologies, which developed an FDA-approved, silk-based medical device for soft tissue reconstruction that was later acquired by Allergan.

The company's core technology is a platform called Activated Silk™, which transforms natural silk protein from cocoons into a library of liquid bioactive peptides. This platform creates sustainable molecules that can serve as high-performance, non-toxic ingredients to replace synthetic and fossil fuel-derived chemicals. The business operates as a B2B ingredient supplier to various industries, including personal care, fashion, and medical therapeutics. Its business model involves developing and manufacturing these patented silk molecules at its facilities and selling them to brands for use in their end products. A recent Series C funding round of $120 million is accelerating the commercialization of the technology and scaling production.

Evolved by Nature's products have a wide range of applications. In the personal care and beauty markets, its peptides are used in skincare for benefits like boosting the skin barrier, supporting collagen production, and reducing hyperpigmentation. In the fashion industry, Activated Silk™ is used to create sustainable finishes for leather and performance textiles, offering features like water resistance and moisture-wicking properties without relying on polyurethane and other petrochemicals. The company is also exploring regenerative medicine applications, including dermal fillers and treatments for various skin conditions.

Keywords: Activated Silk, bioactive peptides, biotechnology, sustainable ingredients, petrochemical alternatives, green chemistry, skincare ingredients, textile finishing, leather treatment, biomaterials, life sciences, circular economy, natural polymers, regenerative medicine, collagen support, sustainable fashion, biocompatibility, non-toxic chemicals, Dr. Gregory Altman, Dr. Rebecca Lacouture