The story of Cantabria Labs is a story about entrepreneurship, science and, above all, people. Since our beginnings, we’ve been a laboratory driven by innovation, research and the desire to improve people’s quality of life.
In the 1990s, we revolutionised the world of sunscreens when we patented Fernblock® together with Harvard Medical School and Dr Fitzpatrick, the father of modern dermatology and the creator of the skin-type chart that still bears his name today.
Fernblock® – the hero ingredient of our Heliocare brand – and oral sunscreens – a disruptive innovation in dermatology that we also invented – turned out to be discoveries that marked a turning point in the way we protect our skin against the sun.
These two milestones marked the beginning of a story full of scientific breakthroughs despite being “just” a small family-run laboratory with headquarters in Cantabria back then…
Today, we continue to innovate, with one foot in the laboratory and one foot out on the streets. This is because we understand that science and innovation only mean something when they’re used to look after people’s health – our mission.
2024
• We renewed our research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
• We launched Skin Resist, our antiageing range for reactive skin. It’s based on our proprietary Aquammunist Technology, which harnesses the mineral-rich, curative properties of our natural spring in La Concha.
• We inaugurated our R&D&I centre in the MaSID (Madrid Science Innovation District) technological hub.
• The Cantabria Labs Foundation and the José Antonio Matji Special Training and Employment Centre, its main project, were created.
2023
• We launched the drug Anhidrox, the first-ever topical treatment for severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
• We presented Toty and NDL Pro-Health, our joint ventures with Sofía Vergara and Rafa Nadal, respectively.
2022
• We signed a sponsorship agreement with the men’s and women’s teams of Real Madrid football club on a global scale.
2021
• We launched Alocare – the first-ever topical finasteride – in Spain, Italy and Portugal, used in hair loss treatments.
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2020
• We did our bit in the fight against COVID-19 by manufacturing litres upon litres of hand sanitiser gel for healthcare professionals in Spain and we collaborated with the University of Alcalá in its research project on this disease.
2019
• We inaugurated our new eco-sustainable innovation and production centre in La Concha, Santander after two years of building works.
• We engaged Paralympic athlete Sara Andrés and tennis player Rafa Nadal to be brand ambassadors for Cantabria Labs to raise awareness about using sunscreen and the need for prevention in skincare.
2018
• We signed an agreement with the veterinary products company Stangest to enter the pet care market.
• We changed our name to our current one: Cantabria Labs.
• Susana Rodríguez Navarro was appointed CEO of Cantabria Labs.
• Juan Matji was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cantabria Labs.
2017
• We patented Edafence®, an anti-pollution technology that we use in our Endocare and Neoretin ranges. It serves to prevent and repair damage caused by external aggressors (cigarette smoke, blue light, urban pollutants, among others).
• Cantabria Labs Mexico was founded to expand our presence in the American market, as well as Cantabria Labs China – a strategic pillar to consolidate our growth in Asia.
• We signed our first alliance with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a world-renowned university in the field of R&D&I.
2015
• We introduced ZO Skin Health – a range of medical-grade cosmetics – in Spain.
• We opened a subsidiary in Africa: Cantabria Labs Morocco.
2014
• We set up the Health and Skin Chair with the University of Alcalá (UAH) as part of the Expert in Dermatology Diploma programme, which was our way of promoting this speciality in Spain.
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2011
• We bought the rights to new technologies for hair loss, acne, hyperpigmentation and photoageing – areas where we intensified our research.
2009
• We launched a patent for a new molecule that contributes towards the regeneration of stem cells.
• We consolidated our presence on the Iberian Peninsula with Cantabria Labs Portugal.
2006
• We acquired the patent for RetinSphere, which we use in our Endocare range to fight skin ageing, our Biretix range to treat acne and our Neoretin range for skin with dark spots/hyperpigmentation.
2003
• We founded our Italian subsidiary together with Difa Cooper, a leading Italian laboratory founded in 1959.
2001
• We set up the Export Department due to growing demand for our products.
1995
• We discovered oral sunscreens in collaboration with Harvard University, pioneering them worldwide, and we patented Fernblock®, a plant-based extract that we use in all the products of our Heliocare sun protection brand.
• We patented AM3®, an ingredient that we use in our formulas for Inmunoferon, our food supplement for the proper functioning of the immune system and one of our absolute bestsellers.
1994
- We acquired 100% stake in IFC (Industrial Farmacéutica Cantabria).
