PARIS, France – MIMETICS (CEO Hyoung Ki Park) participated in VivaTech 2026, held from June 17–20 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, where the company introduced its proprietary biomimetic transdermal delivery technology to the global market.
Supported by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), MIMETICS exhibited within the Stylish Korea Pavilion, using the event as a strategic opportunity to showcase its innovative platform technology and strengthen its global business expansion.
Founded on collaborative research with Sungkyunkwan University, MIMETICS is a deep-tech company specializing in structure-based Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS) inspired by biomimicry. The company has developed a proprietary physical microstructure that creates a localized micro-vacuum environment upon skin contact, addressing the long-standing limitations of conventional skincare products, where active ingredients evaporate or run off before sufficient absorption.
At VivaTech 2026, MIMETICS highlighted two flagship product platforms: the Biomimetic Micro-Vacuum Silicone Patch and the Micro-Vacuum Hydrogel Mask.
The core technology originates from research co-authored by CEO Hyoung Ki Park, which was published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Nature. Inspired by the microscopic suction-cup architecture found inside octopus suckers, the technology incorporates hundreds of dome-shaped microstructures measuring less than 3 mm in diameter on the contact surface.
Upon application, these microstructures automatically generate a stable micro-vacuum environment between the patch and the skin. This mechanical vacuum effect temporarily enhances skin permeability without needles, significantly improving the delivery of cosmetic and pharmaceutical active ingredients. According to the company, the platform achieves 5–6 times greater absorption than conventional creams and 2–3 times higher delivery efficiency than traditional microneedle products. The micro-pattern design also enables superior adhesion to curved facial areas such as the under-eye region, forehead, nasolabial folds, cheeks, and neck.
During the exhibition, MIMETICS attracted considerable attention from global beauty companies by demonstrating its nature-inspired mechanical adhesion technology.
“The beauty industry has traditionally focused on discovering new active ingredients,” said Hyoung Ki Park, CEO of MIMETICS. “Our approach is fundamentally different. Instead of changing the formulation, we innovate the delivery structure, enabling the skin to absorb proven ingredients far more effectively.”
Park explained that the company’s product portfolio consists of two platforms.
The hydrogel products are single-use patches preloaded with active ingredients, while the reusable silicone patches can be combined with consumers’ existing serums, ampoules, or creams and reused for up to one month. Once applied over skincare products, the silicone patch generates a gentle micro-vacuum that promotes enhanced ingredient penetration.
MIMETICS has already demonstrated strong commercial potential through collaborations with major beauty and pharmaceutical companies, including LG Household & Health Care, Dongkook Pharmaceutical, CTK, and OG Corporation. The company has successfully launched products in Korea, Japan, and the United States, and is now preparing for expansion into the European market.
Its growing commercial success has also attracted significant investor interest. Following a successful Pre-Series A funding round, MIMETICS is currently raising a USD 5 million Series A investment, having already secured approximately USD 3 million. The company plans to use the funding to establish automated manufacturing facilities and expand large-scale production capacity.
At VivaTech 2026, MIMETICS actively engaged with leading global beauty companies including L’Oréal, NIVEA, and Chanel, presenting its technology as an innovative OEM/ODM solution. The company had previously been selected for the L’Oréal Big Bang Startup Challenge in Korea, further validating its global competitiveness.
According to Park, one of the company’s greatest competitive advantages lies in its mechanical, rather than chemical, approach to ingredient delivery.
“Our technology is based on physical microstructures instead of proprietary chemical formulations,” Park said. “This significantly reduces regulatory complexity associated with cosmetic ingredients across different markets, allowing global brands to adopt our platform more efficiently through flexible OEM and ODM partnerships.”
Europe represents MIMETICS’ next major growth market. Leveraging VivaTech 2026 as a gateway, the company aims to establish strategic partnerships with European beauty brands and distributors through technology licensing, joint development projects, and turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing. It is also preparing regulatory procedures such as CPNP registration to facilitate market entry.
Alongside its B2B business, MIMETICS is expanding into the consumer market with the launch of its premium skincare brand, ForAdore. The company plans to introduce both its Micro-Vacuum Eye Patch and Hydrogel Mask globally, bringing its proprietary delivery technology directly to consumers.
VivaTech is Europe’s largest annual startup and technology exhibition, held in Paris. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, the event expanded its exhibition space by 30% across three levels of Hall 7. Centered on four major themes—Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity & Defense, GreenTech & Energy, and DeepTech—this year’s event featured approximately 15,000 startups and more than 4,000 investors. Germany served as the Country of the Year, while India was selected as the AI Partner Country.
Source: AVING News
