Discover how Dr. Marnie Peterson translates her extensive biomedical research into cutting-edge, cannabinoid-based skincare products that address common skin health issues.
Dr. Marnie Peterson is a medical technology innovator, entrepreneur and infectious disease expert with over 25 years of experience developing new therapeutics related to wound healing and general skincare. As Galyna’s CSO, she spearheaded the company’s unique IP platform for cannabinoid-based skincare and its rigorous testing program to achieve replicable, proven results.
As a biomedical researcher and entrepreneur, Marnie has built an extensive patent portfolio spanning topical antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents, antitoxins, wound dressings and vaccine technologies. Her breakthrough development of laboratory-based human skin models has spurred research collaborations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and scientists in the pharmaceutical, medical device and cosmetic industries.
In addition to founding multiple medtech research companies, Marnie was tenured faculty at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology for 11 years and a principal investigator of grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIAID) and U.S. Department of Defense, among others. She continues to serve as a consultant to the university’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. She earned a Ph.D. in infection from the University of Birmingham Medical School in the U.K. and Pharm.D. and B.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Dr. Marnie Peterson, a renowned medical technology innovator and infectious disease expert with over 25 years of experience.
As the Chief Science Officer of GALYNA, Dr. Peterson has spearheaded the development of a unique IP platform for cannabinoid-based skincare products, combining scientific rigor with the natural properties of cannabinoids to address common skin health issues.
With an extensive background in biomedical research and a successful entrepreneurial career, she has built an impressive patent portfolio and established collaborations with regulatory bodies and industry leaders.
Join us as Dr. Peterson shares her insights on the science behind GALYNA’s products, the challenges of translating research into consumer solutions, and the future of cannabinoid skincare.
Ganjly: Can you elaborate on the scientific principles and research that underpin GALYNA’s cannabinoid-based skin care products?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: The development of the ‘smarter’ GALYNA skin solutions was conscious and deliberate. Our intention is to solve common skin health problems by fusing scientific rigor with the natural properties of cannabinoids.
To formulate GALYNA’s patent-pending compositions, our team works with established laboratories and continually conducts analysis of scientific literature and research to guide our knowledge of how cannabinoids promote healthy and reinvigorated skin. Our products undergo thorough experimental analysis using cruelty-free methods and validated protocols.
Ganjly: How has your extensive background in infectious diseases and wound healing influenced the development of GALYNA’s product line?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: My background in infectious diseases focused on two main areas: the interaction of microbes with human tissue and the innovation of antimicrobials. I studied how the barriers to infection (i.e. skin) become compromised through toxins the microbes produce.
The formation of capsulated microcolonies of bacteria (biofilm) is difficult for the body’s immune system to eliminate and, ultimately, causes inflammation and toxicity of the skin cells. I also worked to create innovative research methods to study the interactions of bacteria with human skin for the development of antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents, and wound-healing products.
These several decades of research were a natural background for the development of the ‘smarter’ GALYNA skin solutions.
Ganjly: Can you explain the unique IP platform you’ve developed for GALYNA and how it sets your products apart from others in the market?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: The GALYNA team developed a patent-pending molecule that encapsulates cannabinoids to stabilize them. That molecule also increases absorption into the skin—rather than just having ingredients sit on the surface of the skin—creating a breakthrough effective cannabinoid delivery system and solution to common skin concerns.
Ganjly: What are some of the key findings from GALYNA’s rigorous testing program that have contributed to the effectiveness of your skincare products?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: Our foundational GALYNA molecule includes meadowfoam seed oil, which hydrates skin while stabilizing the cannabinoids and facilitating penetration of the cannabinoids into the skin. The molecule can be found in all three solution-based GALYNA formulations—DREAM, SOOTHE, and REPAIR.
DREAM is a rejuvenating and hydrating skin cream that also incorporates squalane into our patent-pending molecule. Our proven studies of DREAM demonstrate anti-aging properties through collagen gene activation after three days of daily application. Dream also has proven anti-microbial properties against acne-causing bacteria and is non-irritating to the skin.
REPAIR is a healing balm that incorporates lanolin and squalane into the foundational molecule. REPAIR utilizes natural anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of cannabinoids, proven to activate keratin 17 (K17), a cytokeratin important for epithelial migration and wound healing while being non-irritating to the skin.
SOOTHE is formulated to promote topical pain relief through skin penetration of the cannabinoids; the formula provides relief for muscle and joint soreness and other ailments.
Ganjly: Given your experience with the FDA and other regulatory bodies, how do you ensure that GALYNA’s products meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: GALYNA was founded as a clean beauty brand—our ingredients are of the highest quality and tested for any impurities throughout the process. Co-founder Toby Ripsom has been active in the Colorado cannabis market since the start of adult-use legalization and understands the importance of setting and meeting manufacturing and product development standards.
In our research and development of GALYNA products, we conducted extensive testing using human skin models, not just cells, to study ingredient effectiveness and confirm products are non-irritating to the skin.
Ganjly: Can you discuss the role of laboratory-based human skin models in your research and how they have advanced GALYNA’s product formulations?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: The established laboratory-based human skin models have been essential to the development of GALYNA products. The models are created from human skin samples sourced from plastic surgeries using approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols.
The viable skin models can be used to study the direct effects of products on skin cellular function, like wound-healing, anti-aging collagen gene expression, and anti-inflammatory effects. The models can also simulate interactions between microbes and human skin, allowing for the study of the antimicrobial properties of each product.
Ganjly: With your experience in developing topical antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents, how do these elements integrate into GALYNA’s skincare solutions?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: Antimicrobials and anti-inflammatory agents are the foundation of GALYNA’s skin care solutions. Our products are tested for direct toxicity to human skin (non-irritating effects) and anti-inflammatory properties the same way pharmaceutical products would be tested during research and development; the same rigor applies.
Ganjly: How do you see the intersection of cannabis science and skin care evolving in the future, and what innovations can we expect from GALYNA?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: Cannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system via specific receptors on the surface of skin cells. Research findings indicate many ways in which cannabinoids may help alleviate skin disorders including symptoms related to eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
To date, most of the literature and research focuses on cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid with numerous benefits for promoting skin health. The anti-aging properties of CBD have been demonstrated in several studies. CBD has proven to possess anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the production of proinflammatory proteins from human skin cells (keratinocytes).
Cellular regeneration and antimicrobial properties are other researched aspects of CBD: The cannabinoid has been shown to induce keratinocyte proliferation through stimulating antioxidant-related genes and an increase in wound repair-associated keratins, and I’ve worked on a study examining the ability of CBD to eliminate bacteria that contributes to acne.
To sum up: CBD topical products have demonstrated an increase in the water content, elasticity, and collagen within skin cells. CBD is a potent plant-based molecule for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging in beauty products, and more studies, including clinical trials, are ongoing.
Cannabis research for skin care will continue to evolve for CBD and additional minor cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG). As new plant-based bioengineering and manufacturing become available, these minor cannabinoids can be produced in higher quantities for research and product development.
GALYNA continues to innovate and partner with researchers for clinical studies that include the microbiome of human skin, the effects of GALYNA solutions, and the propensity to increase the elasticity and hydration of the skin.
Ganjly: What challenges have you faced in translating your biomedical research into consumer skin care products, and how have you overcome them?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: This has really been a natural transition for me to apply my biomedical research background to cannabinoid skincare innovation. The GALYNA leadership team has always had a vision and a focus on science-driven solutions and transparency. We strive to communicate our science to the consumer in a meaningful way.
Ganjly: As someone who has founded multiple medtech research companies, what advice would you give to scientists and entrepreneurs looking to innovate in the skincare industry?
Dr. Marnie Peterson: All of my medtech startups were created from a desire to solve a problem, cure a disease, or challenge the status quo. For skincare, it’s important to focus on creating clean, high-quality products with the goal of producing results for unmet skin problems. Don’t be afraid to tap into experts in multiple fields and step out of your comfort zone—multidisciplinary teams are key to innovation.
Thank you, Dr. Marnie, for taking the time to do the interview! For more information on Dr. Marnie and GALYNA, head on over to GALYNA.co.
