Meet Dr. Barbara Paldus, Founder & CEO of Codex Labs

Dr. Barbara Paldus is the Founder & CEO of Codex Labs – a Silicon Valley-based company with proven clinical results founded on sustainability – from formulation to packaging. Barbara holds over 40 U.S. patents and is an investor and serial entrepreneur, having started companies like Picarro, which detects greenhouse gas for climate change, and Finesse Solutions, which specializes in biotechnology equipment for vaccines, cancer therapeutics, and cell therapy.

Canadian-born of Czech parents, Barbara was raised in both Europe and Canada, is fluent in five languages with a Ph.D. from Stanford University (U.S.), and considers herself a global citizen. As a scientist, she believes in data and biotechnology.

Q: What is your mission at Codex Labs, and how is it different from other biotech companies?

A: Our mission at Codex Labs is to improve the health of those with compromised skin – such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. This is similar to the mission of biotech companies like Galderma, Pfizer, or Abbott Labs. What is different is that we are trying to find plant-based solutions for topicals that are OTC rather than prescription medications.

Q: In your view, what is the primary reason behind the rising incidence of skin sensitivities and conditions like atopic dermatitis? How is Codex Labs addressing this from an innovation standpoint?

A: Sensitive skin may occur due to genetic differences in the skin barrier (where functionality or integrity is missing) or skin irritation by allergens that becomes so severe that it leads to skin inflammation. We don't fully understand why skin sensitivity is rising, but dermatologists note the increases in their patient populations. 

At Codex Labs, we are trying to understand the underlying causes of these skin conditions through genetics and the skin barrier's function. We focus on plant-based actives and antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and fortify/strengthen the skin barrier. We will also develop tools for people with these skin conditions to prevent flare-ups and create a safer environment to relieve symptoms.

Q: Can you give us an example of a new technology you're leveraging at Codex Labs and any theoretical examples of how it can be applied?

A: We will be leveraging whole genome sequencing. We are excited to be able to apply it to the analysis of human microbiomes in both the gut and skin.

Whole genome sequencing, also known as full genome sequencing, complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is the process of determining the entirety, or nearly the whole, of the DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time.

Most companies do 16S / 18S rRNA gene sequencing, which is called traditional amplicon sequencing. Both have helped further microbiome research but have yet to yield information about microbiota at the strain level. 

Shotgun metagenomics (that Codex Labs implements) provides greater resolution than traditional amplicon sequencing, enabling surveys of the skin microbiota at the kingdom, species, strain, or gene level. Why is this important? Many of the important effects of bacteria are happening at the strain level. For example, not all "pathogens" appear bad, as different strains can play different roles. And not all C. acnes strains are bad and cause acne, while not all H. pylori strains are harmful and cause gut problems.

 We also need to remember that these tests are in their infancy. Not enough taxonomy data exists today on human microbiomes to define a statistically meaningful "healthy" microbiome! The gut microbiome is the most studied to date, yet microbiome research is only starting to study different strains' roles. We know even less about the skin microbiome, so it's early to make definitive conclusions from data from these microbiome tests.

Debate is raging in science about what diversity means, what pathogens are or are not, and how to use this data for accurate medical diagnosis and therapy. 

Q: As an electrical engineer, you worked in the hardware industry for most of your career, building analytical and biotech production equipment. Why the switch to beauty? And what unique perspective did you bring to the industry?

A: I wanted to get closer to the consumer, which I never had the opportunity to do building analytical or production hardware. To be clear, Codex Labs is not a beauty company. Our goal is to make skin solutions. And we will be bringing software and hardware capability to the skincare industry in the next 12 to 18 months.

Q: As the founder of Sekhmet Ventures, you invest in companies led by diverse female founders offering science-based beauty and wellness solutions. Please give us an example of an investment you were most excited about and why.

A: I am very excited about my investment in Needed (https://thisisneeded.com/), founded by Julie Sawaya and Ryan Woodbury: "Needed empowers women to meet their biochemical nutritional needs, and to find nourishment beyond nutrition through better products, better identification of nutrition needs, education, and community to support nourishment beyond nutritional needs alone." I am excited that Needed is revolutionizing the pregnancy journey by empowering women through education and the highest quality products. It's an honor to support these co-founders as an investor and be a part of their journey from the Stanford GSB concept to a successful startup. 

Q: There are a lot of buzzwords around beauty and wellness (e.g., conscious beauty). What do you see as the big new trend emerging in 2023? Or is there an existing trend you think will take off?

A: I think we will see a trend pitting science versus storytelling in 2023, with Deciem leading the way. We are also witnessing a backlash starting about celebrity brands. I also hope that brands start realizing the incredible waste in the retail chain with sampling programs, where decisions are made on scent and texture rather than product performance. Most customers need to use a product for at least three weeks to see real results.

Q: What advice would you offer current or future entrepreneurs?

A: I would offer the advice that they should do what they love and what they really believe in. Why? It's a tough road.

"Sometimes life is going to hit you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith." – Steve Jobs

Q: What skincare brands/products do you personally love and why?

A: I love the Anthelios products by La Roche Posay. They created an amazing sunscreen! I'm also a huge fan of CeraVe - great products at great prices, and of Deciem – a science-first brand, and again very affordable.