LUCIA MORELLI1 , ANTONIA BRUNO2 , MARCO GIUSTRA1 , MIRIAM COLOMBO1*
Corresponding author*
1. NanoBioLab, Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
2. ZooPlantLab, Department of Biotechnologies and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy

Abstract

Nowadays, the health concept has been extended to the overall well-being of the person and this is a trend that pharmaceuticals and cosmetics have grasped. In this context, NanoCosPha takes shape: an innovative infrastructure developed by the University of Milano Bicocca with Regione Lombardia. Made up of six laboratories, it counts technologies for the production and characterization of both pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, for the development of green extraction processes and for quality of food products and supplements. NanoCosPha is a new reality capable of overcoming the gap between the University and companies, promoting integration and technological advancements. Personalised medicine and sustainable processes are at the core of the project, with the mission to address well-being in all its aspects.

INTRODUCTION
Currently, we are facing a turning point in the meaning of health: instead of being intended as the absence of pathologies, the concept of health has been extended to the overall well-being of the person. For instance, 71% of European consumers consider personal care and cosmetic products important or very important in improving their quality of life, and use nearly 13 different cosmetics weekly, according to the 2022 European Consumer Perception Study. (1) Indeed, a new awareness is increasing both in citizens and in the industry sector and this is a trend that pharmaceuticals and cosmetics have grasped. Lombardy is the region in Italy with the highest density of cosmetic companies: here in fact, more than half of the cosmetic companies present in the national territory are concentrated (55.1%). Overall, in 2021 the total turnover of the Lombardy cosmetics sector represented more than two-thirds of the national amount. (2) These facts highlight the potentiality of the wellness sector, in terms of innovation, competitiveness and economic value. However, innovation is founded on research and academia could serve as a breeding ground. Compared ...