Our Team
In 2020, Extherid merged with UK-based Perfectus Biomed and became Perfectus Biomed, LLC, which operated as a US-based subsidiary of Perfectus Biomed Group. The new entity brought together over 60 employees focused on improving lives through innovative science. Marnie was the US Managing Director and CSO of Perfectus Biomed Group which was uniquely positioned to support global clients from preclinical development and throughout the regulatory stage. In 2022, Perfectus Biomed Group was acquired by NAMSA to expand the expertise and service offerings in customized microbiology to the MedTech industry globally. Marnie continues serves as a consultant to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and hosts a podcast Superbugs and You. Before establishing Extherid, Marnie was tenured faculty at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology for 11 years. At the University, she established a research program and led multimillion-dollar research projects with the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and various foundations and industrial partners. In 2014, the Minnesota Business Magazine selected Marnie as a Change Agent finalist for the Leaders in Health Care Awards. She earned a PhD in Infection from the University of Birmingham Medical School, United Kingdom and PharmD and BS degrees from the University of Minnesota.
She has published over 50 scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals including Nature and holds a significant patent portfolio for her discoveries, which serve as the basis for a clinical stage women’s health company, Hennepin Life Sciences that was licensed to Dare Biosience. Importantly, these patents, experiences and life lessons informed her role as CSO of GALYNA.
In 2014, the Minnesota Business Magazine selected Marnie as a Change Agent finalist for the Leaders in Health Care Awards. She earned a PhD in Infection from the University of Birmingham Medical School, United Kingdom and PharmD and BS degrees from the University of Minnesota.
Your skin is the largest organ of the body and a healthy metabolism is crucial to your human health. Skin metabolism is important in controlling regrowth and detoxification properties. Increased metabolic activity is widely defined as: managing rates of cell turnover and regeneration, collagen production, and repairing damage from UV exposure and aging.
What we Learned
Our proprietary formulations encourage positive biotransformation, and cellular regeneration within 24 hours. Through laboratory testing, we discovered that our formulations can enhance skin metabolism up to 50% more than untreated skin, in a non-irritating manner, and increase healing.
The study was led by our Chief Scientific Officer, whose previous experience specialized in prevention of the spread of infectious disease through open wounds and has conducted topical wound healing development studies for the Department of Defense, National Institute of Health and other multinational organizations.
For this study, we sourced human skin explants and created wound beds to treat with our cannabinoid-infused, lanolin-based Repair formulation. These samples were tracked and observed for a week at 63x magnification. Stimulation of wound healing and re-epithelialization (ie. the resurfacing of a wound with new epithelium) of the wound bed was noted by production of keratinocytes (K-17).
What We Learned
A one-time application of Repair stimulated the production of keratin 17 (K17) a cytokeratin important for epithelial migration and wound healing. The data shows that through skin penetration, our cannabinoid-infused formulations are able to reach the intended target receptors and promote wound healing via K17 expression.
This study was conducted to determine the antibacterial/anti-acne effectiveness of GALYNA™ formulations against the bacteria, Cutibacterium acnes, which causes acne. Ex vivo human skin obtained via post-surgical elective surgery and under IRB protocol was prepared as 5mm explants. Cutibacterium acnes was inoculated to the surface for 2 hours incubation prior to treatment with Dream (cannabinoid-containing) and Dream base (no cannabinoids).
What We Learned
After 24h exposure and incubation, C. acnes bacterial densities were determined and a reduction in bacterial counts was logged. Cannabinoid-containing Dream formulation significantly reduced C. acnes compared to growth controls of C. acnes. Dream base composition (lacking cannabinoids) did not significantly reduce C. acnes.
For this study, our proprietary Dream and Repair formulations were all tested extensively using an adapted common standard irritation protocol (OECD 439), against commonly known irritants. A formulation can pass as non-irritating when 50% of cells are still viable after 24hrs of application. Viability of human skin after treatment with CBD containing formulations was assessed over three 24h continuous treatments of 10uL where formulations were washed off and re-applied at each time point.
The formulations were compared to controls that were non-irritating, moderate irritants, and strong irritants. This shows that all formulations tested did not decrease the viability of tissue in a manner that would indicate irritation. Our formulations passed with human skin cells remaining at above that mark, beyond twice that duration and only dipping below 50% near 72hrs.
What We Learned
The exposure time required to decrease viability to 50% is called the ET50. A longer ET50 means that skin tissue can be exposed to treatments for longer times before viability is decreased to half of the original. All formulations tested had an ET50 over 24hrs and were much higher than the mild irritant standard. Therefore, the formulations were classified as non-irritating substances.
Our most recent study was conducted to assess the promotion of collagen production in Dream. As before, ex vivo human skin tissue was prepared and treated with Dream (A1) and the base (A2) formulation for analysis. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the most sensitive method for mRNA gene quantification, we were able to determine changes in collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) gene expression in human skin following daily treatment with Dream. Type I collagen is the most abundant form of collagen in the human body.
What We Learned
After 72hrs, Dream (A1) showed a significant increase in COLIA1 gene expression, a Type I collagen, outperforming the base formula (A2) over 7- fold. Also in other studies not shown, the active formulation (A1) was non-irritating up to 72 hours as was demonstrated in the previous studies.
Our Mission:
The GALYNA™ mission is to provide science-based, all-natural, topical skincare products, by enhancing the full potential of cannabinoid science to help people take better care of their most essential barrier – the skin.
Our Vision:
Our advanced skincare formulations are the result of research backed science, and designed to be used in sync with your lifestyle and existing personal care regimen, for adults 21 years and older. We aim to be completely transparent about our research and results, and to continue expanding our knowledge for future product development.
Our People:
The GALYNA™ team boasts multiple doctorates, organic formulators from the biggest skin care laboratories and cannabis industry pioneers. We’ve enlisted the expertise of scientists, whose research work is focused on innovating, testing and developing bio-solutions that allow us to gain a greater understanding of the effects of various cannabinoids on the human body. With their help, we are continuously adapting and improving our formulas, to bring you the highest-quality products
