Phyla

Phyla, founded by Dr. Yug Varma, is a San Francisco-based biotech company developing alternative antibiotic therapies for acne treatment. The company's core technology utilizes bacteriophages to selectively target and eliminate acne-causing bacteria while preserving beneficial bacteria on the skin. This approach aims to address the root cause of acne without causing collateral damage to the skin's microbiome. Phyla's flagship product is an acne care serum that is clinically proven to kill only harmful bacteria while recalibrating the microbiome for long-term skin health. Unlike traditional acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, or retinoids, which can cause skin damage and other side effects, Phyla's serum is designed to be gentler on the skin while still effectively treating acne. The company launched its first product in June 2020 and has since seen an uptick in sales. In July 2022, Phyla closed a USD 2 million growth round to further its mission of making benzoyl peroxide obsolete for acne treatment. In December 2023, Shiseido's Long Term Investments for the Future (LIFT) Ventures made an investment in Phyla, recognizing the company's innovative approach to skincare. Phyla is also developing an eczema product, which was expected to launch in Q2 2021.

Key customers and partnerships

Phyla's profile does not provide any information about key customers or partnerships.