SKIN.L Regulatory News (SKIN)

20 February 2019

Integumen plc

("Integumen" or "the Company")

Labskin CBD tests show greater than 99% reduction in bacterial growth on human skin

Integumen plc (AIM: SKIN) is pleased to announce a greater than 99% reduction of bacterial growth in preliminary results of four formulations, all of which include Cannabinoid (CBD) oils, on Labskin in a range of cosmetic and skin-care treatments.

Tests, which include formulations of STOER For Men, the skin care product range owned by Integumen, were carried out on bacteria common to human skin. The bacteria tested are known to be one of the leading causes of foreign body infections with resistance to some antibiotics. While these are preliminary tests, with further results to follow, it provides clear evidence that the addition of CBD to cosmetics and skin-care treatments can play a major role in lowering the incidence of skin diseases.

The Company trading update of 7 January 2019 noted that Cellulac (9.35% owned by Integumen) had developed a low-cost hemp-derived CBD oil extraction process and was collaborating with Labskin to provide a formulation for the STOER For Men range of cosmetics.

Explosive growth in the hemp-derived CBD category that has grown from a market category that did not exist five years ago to $190 Million in sales in 2017, poised to have reached $1.0 Billion in 2018, is led by hemp-derived CBD, food, personal care and industrial products. Hemp Business Journal estimates the U.S. hemp industry will grow to a $1.9B market by 2022.

Gerard Brandon (Chief Executive Officer) commented:

"I am delighted that collaboration processes, put in place by new management in H2 2018, have resulted in achieving such a great outcome in a very short period of time. This shows the extent and value of the technology and clinical expertise that exists within Integumen.

This is the first of several announcements expected over the coming weeks and months as hemp-derived CBD inclusive formulation tests extend to Labskin model systems that have disease state bacteria such as seen in acne and eczema.

As well as having an extension to the range of STOER For Men skin care products, Labskin will be offering the same test services to clients adding CBD to their skin-care and cosmetic range of products."

About Integumen:

Integumen is a vertically integrated business, collaborating their Labskin technology platform with partners in artificial intelligence, clinical research, medical device and life science. These collaborators are building their own technology on top of the Labskin AI backbone. Labskin allows skin-care, health-care, pharmaceutical manufacturers and cosmetic companies to test their products on human-like skin in a real-world environment with full access to multiple state-of-the-art partner technologies.

The Company combines data analytics with access to therapeutic operational expertise and offers solutions to our clients, from regulatory approvals, right through to marketing fully tested ingredients that have been certified on our Laboratory grown living human tissue.