Overview:
This organization, a global consumer healthcare company, is seeking an alternative to menthol, for use as a cooling and pain relief agent in topical applications. Any alternative must be suitable for EU Medical Device classification.
Background:
Recent guidance on the borderline between medical devices and medicinal products (MDCG 2022-5 rev. 1), indicates menthol may be reclassified in this application as the principal mode of action is considered pharmacological, involving interaction with the cold-sensitive receptors in the skin. This organization is seeking alternatives to menthol to ensure topical products maintain the medical device classification, while maintaining equivalent performance.
Key Criteria:
- Alternative cooling actives or technologies must be suitable for a topically applied product and ensure Medical Device classification.
- Performance of alternative actives or technologies ideally similar to menthol performance.
- Herbal remedies are not in scope.
- A commercial, or close to commercial solution is desirable, however solutions in the research & development stage are also of interest.
Possible Solution Areas:
This client is open to a wide range of solutions, specifically those that utilize a principal mode of cooling other than a pharmacological interaction with the cold-sensitive receptors in the skin. Solutions may be an ingredient, a combination of ingredients, a technology or a combination of ingredient(s) and technology.
Desired outcome of the solution:
Identify an alternative for the use of menthol as a cooling active in topical applications offering similar cooling performance
Related TechNeeds:
Seeking: Novel skincare products & technologies
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