The desire to be beautiful and the longing to maintain youthful skin are perfectly natural. That’s why many cosmetic companies have been working hard to create skin-beneficial ingredients and deliver them deep into the skin. However, this is not an easy task because the active ingredients in cosmetics often struggle to penetrate the skin effectively.

One major reason for this is the skin’s protective barrier, known as the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, protecting it from external elements and preventing moisture loss, while also stopping external substances from easily getting in. The lipid content of the stratum corneum makes it even more difficult for water-soluble ingredients to pass through, which is why it’s so challenging to keep the skin hydrated for long.

But what if we could create tiny, painless holes in the skin to deliver active ingredients? The company we’re introducing today, MAI Derma, has developed a product called DermaPass. This innovative system uses microneedles, as thin as a strand of hair, to deliver active ingredients deep into the skin without causing pain.

Systems that create small holes in the skin to deliver active ingredients have existed before, most notably the Micro-needle Therapy System (MTS). MTS uses needle-like instruments to pierce the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, often to induce minor injuries that trigger skin regeneration. It’s sometimes used to improve the skin by applying active ingredients after piercing, hoping they penetrate the inner layers. However, when the skin is wounded, the cells immediately contract, making it difficult for these ingredients to get through.

MAI Derma’s DermaPass works differently. Instead of causing injury, it inserts extremely thin needles into the skin to deliver active ingredients. The thickness of these needles is measured in gauge (G), where a higher number indicates a thinner needle. DermaPass uses 34G needles (about 0.184mm in diameter), the same as Japan’s Terumo “Nanopass 34,” which is known as the world’s thinnest painless needle. For context, a 34G needle is about as thick as an adult human hair, making it incredibly thin. DermaPass combines nine of these needles into one device, allowing users to simply press it against their skin to deliver cosmetic ingredients deep within.

While the DermaPass needles are as thin as the “Nanopass 34,” they have a larger internal diameter (0.11mm compared to 0.07mm in the Nanopass 34). This means DermaPass can deliver more active ingredients at once. Despite being extremely thin, these needles can be used up to 1,000 times thanks to advanced techniques borrowed from semiconductor manufacturing, such as precision molding, rolling, and forging.

How is this technology possible? According to MAI Derma’s CEO, Kim Sang-won, “MAI Derma has a team made up of individuals with master’s and doctoral degrees from Cornell University, semiconductor-level mold design experience, and over 15 years of manufacturing expertise.” He confidently adds that they aim for a technology-driven IPO by 2025—a bold move for a company founded in November 2021.

MAI Derma isn’t stopping with DermaPass. They are also developing their own active cosmetic ingredients, with products like CH.Luxe, F.cloning, FUSIBLE, and X:Balm. While they will continue collaborating with major cosmetic brands through DermaPass, they also plan to establish themselves as an independent cosmetics company.

Located at Seoul Bio Hub, MAI Derma has received strong support, gaining significant interest from overseas buyers and growing their business, resulting in increased sales.

The use of “painless microneedles” will continue to expand—from skincare to medical bio-devices—due to the vast demand in these sectors. It will be exciting to see how MAI Derma continues to pursue its dreams with such outstanding technological capabilities.

What problem is MAI Derma trying to solve?

Our team is focused on ensuring that everyone interested in cosmetics and skincare can effectively absorb high-quality active ingredients into their skin and enjoy the full benefits. While the home beauty device market has rapidly grown, offering sleek, compact designs that allow for professional skincare treatments at home, there is still no product—apart from direct injections—that can effectively penetrate the skin barrier and deliver substances into the dermis. Many users face challenges with side effects that make these treatments difficult to use.

MAI Derma’s DermaPass features patented micro R-Edge needles, which are almost painless thanks to their non-invasive needle tips and precision semiconductor molding technology. When applied to the skin, these needles act as a lever, dramatically increasing skin penetration. Additionally, the manufacturing process of these R-Edge needles reduces the steps by two-thirds compared to conventional needles, making mass production more cost-effective and boosting price competitiveness.

How does MAI Derma solve this problem?

MAI Derma is a manufacturing startup developing personal medical devices that painlessly and effectively deliver high-performance bio solutions into the subcutaneous layer. Over the years, we’ve refined our transdermal delivery system, allowing effective skin penetration without pain. We’re also the first in Korea to receive a patent for “painless microneedles.” Our goal is to contribute to a higher quality of life by offering safer, healthier skin treatments that promote youthful, healthy skin.

What are our technological advantages compared to competitors?

Traditional MTS (Micro-needle Therapy Systems) use needles of various lengths to pierce the skin and create small holes, allowing drugs to be applied afterward. However, as the skin naturally contracts after being pierced, it becomes difficult for the applied substances to penetrate effectively. Our Micro R-Edge needles, on the other hand, have a hollow center, acting like a syringe. When pressed against the skin, they function as a lever, allowing medication to flow out without skin contraction. This ensures that the substances penetrate the skin barrier while the needle remains inserted.

Additionally, our needles, at 34G (about 0.187mm), are incredibly thin yet durable, thanks to semiconductor molding technologies like rolling, plating, and forging. They can withstand up to 1,000 uses without bending. Unlike traditional needles, our non-cutting design ensures that the needle tips are not blade-sharp, significantly reducing pain, so users can apply treatments without needing local anesthesia.

What products/services does MAI Derma offer, and what’s their current status?

We currently offer three main products: Angel Tip, a painless microneedle cartridge that can be combined with existing syringes; DermaPass, a fully automated drug delivery system for combining and administering desired substances; and high-performance skin booster solutions to be used with DermaPass.

The basic functions of these products are already implemented and being supplied to customers. However, we are still fine-tuning the automation modules. For example, our technical team is currently working on perfecting the design and control system that automatically adjusts the amount of solution dispensed when users press a button.

What is the size of MAI Derma’s target market, and who are its core customers?

Everyone, regardless of age or gender, is highly interested in maintaining youthful and beautiful skin. The global demand for anti-aging solutions is estimated to be around KRW 20 trillion. DermaPass targets primarily the 20s-30s and 40s-50s age groups who are keen on proactive self-care.

What is our business model?

DermaPass operates under both B2B and B2C business models. The average monthly service cost per customer is around USD 150. For B2C, we offer online package services, while for B2B, we plan to provide tailored products to skincare clinics (including hospitals) through annual contracts, with differentiated pricing based on order quantities.

What are MAI Derma’s achievements so far?

Within a year of product development, we signed exclusive distribution agreements with five overseas companies and received OEM orders from three companies, which has ensured a steady supply of our products. We are also planning to develop various products using the painless micro R-Edge needles, including a multi-pin cartridge that can be easily attached to conventional syringes. After securing international certifications, we aim to supply these products globally.

What is MAI Derma’s competitive edge?

MAI Derma’s team includes graduates from Cornell University with advanced degrees and experts with over 15 years of manufacturing experience at the semiconductor level. This, combined with our proprietary semiconductor molding technology, gives us a distinct competitive advantage. We possess top-tier material, processing, and equipment technologies, as well as practical experience in mass production. Our team is confident and unafraid of new challenges, which is the source of our competitive strength.

How has the Seoul Bio Hub program helped MAI Derma grow?

Through the 2023 Seoul Bio Hub corporate/product video production program, we gained significant attention from overseas buyers, which led to new business connections and had a positive impact on our revenue.

Why should MAI Derma receive investment? Three key reasons:

MAI Derma has a clear exit strategy through a technology-special IPO planned for the second half of 2025, and we are progressing toward that goal. We are currently preparing for a mock technical evaluation this year and expect favorable results.

We are already providing services that meet market demand and generating revenue. DermaPass is a service developed in collaboration with market leaders (influencers, YouTubers, broadcasters), and we are generating revenue from both individual users and corporate clients. Additionally, we have consistent revenue from customized product services, such as personalized skincare solutions. Last year, we generated KRW 500 million, and this year, we expect to surpass KRW 1 billion.

The diversity of products using our innovative painless micro R-Edge needles, which effectively penetrate the skin barrier, is built upon accumulated expertise in skincare, semiconductor precision molding technology, and ongoing R&D. This positions us as a critical player in the global skincare and anti-aging market.