bionto Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Business Collaboration with South Korea's HAEWON T&D on Hyalion™ (Ionized Mineral Hyaluronic Acid Complex Ingredient) × Iontronics Technology

bionto Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; Representative Director: Hiromitsu Senoo; hereinafter "bionto"), a biotech startup originating from Tohoku University, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HAEWON T&D CO.,LTD. (Headquarters: Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea; CEO: HYUN KIWOONG; hereinafter "HAEWON"), a South Korean cosmetics ODM/OEM manufacturer, for joint consideration of beauty-related businesses utilizing ionized mineral hyaluronic acid complex ingredient (hereinafter "Hyalion™") and iontronics technology.

■ Background of the MOU Signing

bionto is developing healthcare devices that innovate self-care and self-medication, based on iontronics technology, which Professor Matsuhiko Nishizawa of Tohoku University's Graduate School of Engineering and Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering has been researching for over 20 years. Application products of this technology, such as bio-powered skin patch sheets and the PMN (Porous Microneedle) device currently under development, are next-generation beauty and healthcare platform technologies that enable the non-invasive penetration of active ingredients into the skin using electrical energy.

Our company has already signed a joint product development agreement with Toyo Beauty Co., Ltd., a major domestic cosmetics ODM/OEM manufacturer, and is promoting the development of products for the Japanese market. As a first step in overseas market expansion, we have now signed an MOU for business collaboration with HAEWON, a South Korean cosmetics ODM/OEM manufacturer.

HAEWON, established in 2001, is a South Korean company with an annual turnover of 22 million USD. It boasts its own R&D department and provides integrated solutions from formulation development to branding, manufacturing, and quality control. Its affiliated factories have obtained Korean CGMP certification and ISO 22716, and it possesses technical expertise specializing in BIO material research and development. The company holds a patent for its independently developed "Hyalion™," and the high technical compatibility with our iontronics technology led to this collaboration.

■ Overview of the MOU

Based on this MOU, the three parties will promote joint consideration in the following areas:

1. Joint Technical Consideration of Hyalion™ × Iontronics

We will conduct joint consideration of beauty-related products combining HAEWON's Hyalion™ with bionto's PMN device and iontronics technology. Specifically, we will work on optimizing the incorporation of ionized minerals into PMN devices, verifying the synergistic effects of both technologies, and considering product specifications for the Japanese and Korean markets. We will also explore the possibility of expanding to beauty products other than PMN devices.

2. Acquisition of Priority Negotiation Rights for Japanese Expansion of Patented "Hyalion™" Ingredient

Under this MOU, bionto has acquired priority negotiation rights regarding the exclusive development, manufacturing, sales, import, and supply of beauty products using Hyalion™, manufactured and supplied by HAEWON, in the Japanese market.

A representative application of HAEWON's ionized mineral compound is the patented "Hyalion™." This unique ingredient improves the skin absorption rate of hyaluronic acid, which is generally difficult to absorb transdermally due to its large molecular size, by approximately 30% by combining it with ionized minerals.

Hyalion™, formed by ionic bonds, does not use chemical cross-linking agents, thus having a relatively low risk of side effects, excellent biodegradability, and the characteristic of being safely absorbed while gradually decomposing in the in vivo environment.

bionto will aim to conclude a formal agreement for the introduction of products utilizing this ingredient into the Japanese market and for ingredient supply, after conducting a proof of concept (PoC) and verifying business feasibility.

■ Comments from Each Company's Representative

HYUN KIWOONG, CEO, HAEWON T&D CO.,LTD.

"We are confident that bionto's iontronics technology is an innovative approach to transdermal delivery and has high compatibility with our Hyalion™. We look forward to introducing a new category of products that integrate cutting-edge Japanese technology into the Korean K-Beauty market. We are also pleased to welcome bionto as a partner to bring our patented ingredient to the Japanese market.

Furthermore, based on the excellent technologies of both Japan and Korea, we will secure competitiveness in the global market and aim for continuous expansion of our business domain through export growth."

Hiromitsu Senoo, Representative Director, bionto Co., Ltd.

"South Korea is a leader in beauty technology and one of the most important markets for the overseas expansion of our iontronics technology. HAEWON is a technology-oriented ODM manufacturer with a unique patented technology for ionized minerals and a strength in manufacturing driven by R&D. By combining the technologies of both companies, we feel the potential to create a new standard for non-invasive transdermal delivery. The acquisition of priority negotiation rights in the Japanese market is also a significant step in our business development. We will steadily advance our joint considerations and strive to deliver new experiences to consumers as soon as possible."

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<HAEWON T&D CO.,LTD.>

Company Name: HAEWON T&D CO.,LTD.

Representative: CEO HYUN KIWOONG

Established: February 2001

Annual Sales: 22 million USD

Headquarters: Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea / Base: Hwaseong City, South Korea

Business Activities: Cosmetics OEM/ODM manufacturing, factory automation parts agency, gear manufacturing and equipment development

<bionto Co., Ltd.>

Company Name: bionto Co., Ltd.

Representative: Representative Director Hiromitsu Senoo

Location: 468-1 Aramaki Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

　　　　　Inside Tohoku University Material Innovation Center Aobayama Garage

Established: March 3, 2025

Business Activities: Planning, development, manufacturing, and sales of bio-iontronics devices

URL: https://bionto.co.jp/