Biotech from the Blue Frontier
Developing marine bioactive ingredients from sea urchin shells and spines for topical skincare and nutraceuticals.
Sea urchins produce a distinctive family of naturally occurring marine bioactives known as polyhydroxynaphthoquinones, or PHNQs.
UniVital is developing a proprietary PHNQ extract, derived from sea urchin shells and spines, as an ingredient for skin health and healthy aging.
Ongoing research and characterization continue to expand our understanding of this marine bioactive platform.
UniVital is developing a naturally occurring spectrum of marine PHNQs as a differentiated bioactive platform. Our approach focuses on characterizing and translating this marine chemistry into practical commercial applications.
Illustrative only.
For formulations focused on skin appearance, resilience and healthy aging.
For supplements that support skin health and healthy aging from within.
Available to formulators, brands and manufacturers for testing under mutual NDA.
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Purple sea urchin overpopulation has contributed to dramatic ecological changes in parts of California’s kelp forest ecosystems.
UniVital is exploring how sea urchin material generated through harvesting, processing and ecosystem-management activities can become a source of high-value marine bioactives.
Create lasting value for removing overpopulated purple urchins from damaged kelp forests.
Use urchin material from harvesting and processing that would otherwise go underutilized.
Build traceable, California-based supply alongside fisheries and restoration groups.
Four founders with backgrounds in biochemistry, pharma, prestige beauty and CPG, backed by scientific and industry partners betting that the ocean’s biggest problem is also its biggest medicine.
Estée Lauder (1988–1992). Co-founded Kinesys Pharmaceutical Inc. (1993–2014).
40+ years CPG experience. 30+ years regulated skincare expert.
B.S. Biochemistry, UCSD, Phi Beta Kappa. Filed the UniVital patents and oversaw the extraction and isolation work.
Masters in Holistic Nutrition. Sales & Marketing.
World-renowned marine natural products researcher: 30+ years, 200+ peer-reviewed publications and a Google Scholar h-index of 97. Professor Emeritus, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.
Pharmacist trained in Berlin, with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Biology, magna cum laude, from the University of Bonn. Since 2020 at the Center for Marine Biotechnology & Biomedicine, Scripps.
PhD in Biochemistry. Senior scientist in Moscow for 12 years, then formulated novel nutritional supplements at USANA and Melaleuca (1995–2025). Holds multiple patents.
Co-founder of BeyondBrands & founder of Innovation Nutrition Consulting; former VP Marketing at Robinson Pharma, with 30 years in supplement & functional food product development.
Founder of The Growth Hack, partnering with 7–8 figure B2B, B2C and DTC companies. Early adopter and recognized expert in AI.
Founder of WOW Branding, Clouseau Analytics and Insaltd Labs, and author of Logo Savvy. Advises on core values, brand identity and go-to-market execution.
Senior executive & consultant with 30+ years driving revenue growth in nutraceuticals, CPG & biotechnology.
Interested in evaluating a marine PHNQ extract for skincare or nutraceuticals? Request a sample and technical information under mutual NDA, or meet us at SupplySide Global.