The Foundation of SPF
UVB drives sunburn and is the primary basis of SPF. Finished-product SPF must be confirmed in the intended formulation.
Multifunctional sun-care ingredient
One ingredient.More from every formula.
PhotoSorb is a proprietary carbon-based ingredient in development for sun-care and skincare formulations. Ingredient-level studies indicate SPF-boosting performance, photostability, safety, and opportunities for formulation aesthetics and antioxidant activity — in a single platform.
For brands, formulators, manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and commercial partners
SPF boosterMeasured improvement under tested formulation conditions
Photostable by designOptical function retained under controlled exposure
Formulation aesthetics + antioxidant activityAdditional design possibilities in one ingredient platform
The light problem
SPF tells only part of the light-protection story.
Sunlight reaches skin across UVB, UVA, and visible wavelengths. SPF primarily reflects protection against UVB-driven sunburn; UVA protection and visible-light performance require separate evaluation.
Essential for Broad-Spectrum Protection
UVA reaches deeper into skin and is associated with photoaging and cellular damage. Broad-spectrum or UVA protection is evaluated separately from the SPF number.
An Emerging Opportunity
Blue light is increasingly considered in formulations addressing visible-light–induced pigmentation. Protection claims require finished-product testing.
PhotoSorb is being studied as an ingredient platform that could help formulators address several optical and aesthetic objectives together. Performance depends on concentration, vehicle, companion ingredients, and finished-product testing.
The technology
Designed to do more in one ingredient.
The exact composition and manufacturing details of PhotoSorb are proprietary. Public materials use a conceptual carbon-cage illustration rather than presenting an exact molecular structure.
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Spectral reach
Ingredient-level characterization shows absorption across UVB and UVA and into the blue-light region. Finished-product performance requires formulation-specific testing.
Approximate wavelength ranges
SPF booster
In formulation studies, PhotoSorb increased measured SPF performance under the tested conditions. The magnitude of any boost is formulation-specific and must be confirmed in the intended product.
Photostability
PhotoSorb is engineered to retain optical function under controlled UV exposure, supporting development of more durable formulation performance.
Tinting potential + antioxidant activity
PhotoSorb's inherent color and antioxidant activity offer formulators additional design options.
Surface-use design
PhotoSorb has an approximate molecular weight of 1,200 Da, well above the commonly cited 500-Da benchmark. Skin disposition still depends on formulation and requires appropriate testing.
Formulation flexibility
PhotoSorb can be evaluated alongside mineral and hybrid systems as formulators optimize dispersion, concentration, tint, sensory profile, and compatibility.
Evidence-led development
A broad initial in vitro safety screen.
Third-party testing evaluated PhotoSorb using internationally recognized in vitro methods. The summary below describes only the materials, concentrations, models, and conditions tested.
Genotoxicity
No genotoxic signal was observed at the tested concentration.
Not GenotoxicPhototoxicity
No phototoxic response was observed under the tested conditions.
Not PhototoxicSkin sensitization
No sensitization signal was observed in an in vitro gene-expression assay.
Not a SensitizerSkin irritation
No irritation response was observed in the tested skin-tissue model.
Not An IrritantEye irritation
No irritation response was observed in the tested eye-tissue model.
Not An IrritantThese results are not a complete safety determination and do not establish the safety or regulatory status of any finished product. Detailed reports are available to qualified partners during diligence.
For formulators
What PhotoSorb could mean for formulations.
PhotoSorb gives formulators a new way to explore fewer tradeoffs between optical performance, stability, safety, and cosmetic elegance.
Explore more from the same formula.
Evaluate SPF boosting while optimizing concentration, vehicle, and companion filters.
Plan for durable performance.
Evaluate optical performance through controlled light exposure and finished-formulation stability studies.
Develop tint with the technology.
Use inherent color while balancing tone, dispersion, compatibility, and sensory feel.
Build an evidence package together.
Co-develop prototypes, stability programs, scale-up controls, and market-specific regulatory strategies.
About Solvarna
Materials science meets modern sun care.
PhotoSorb originated in academic medical research and is being advanced by Solvarna, a materials-science company bringing together expertise in advanced materials, oncology, dermatology, and commercialization.
Our model is partner-first: co-development, ingredient supply, and licensing supported by the formulation, manufacturing, safety, and regulatory evidence each intended product requires.
“Basically, we're always working toward preventing people from becoming patients.”
Vijay Krishna, PhD · Co-founder & co-inventor
- Origin
- Academic medical research
- Intellectual property
- US, European & Australian patents
- Development support
- Competitive research funding
- Commercial model
- Co-development, ingredient supply, and licensing
Formulation prototypes
Optimize dispersion, concentration, tint, sensory profile, and compatibility in representative cosmetic systems.
Scale and validate
Advance manufacturing, quality controls, stability, and ingredient- and finished-formulation testing.
Commercial partnerships
Establish supply, co-development, and licensing relationships with claim- and market-specific regulatory strategies.
Featured research
Research developing new UV blockers for skin-cancer prevention
A Cleveland Clinic article highlights research on PhotoSorb.
Founding team
Science, clinical insight, and company building.
Solvarna brings together complementary experience in materials science, oncology, dermatology, translational research, and commercialization.
Vijay Krishna, PhD
Co-founder & co-inventorMaterials science and biomedical engineering · Cleveland Clinic
Vijay leads PhotoSorb's scientific development. He is a materials scientist and inventor on more than 25 patents and patent applications spanning advanced materials and translational medicine.
Stephen Grobmyer, MD
Co-founder & co-inventorSurgical oncology and cancer-institute leadership · Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Stephen brings clinical oncology, cancer-prevention, and health-system leadership experience to PhotoSorb's development and translation.
Julie Woda, PhD
Co-founderBiotechnology translation and commercialization · Harrington Discovery Institute
Julie brings experience in venture creation, product development, financing, and commercialization, helping bridge PhotoSorb's science to partnerships and market.
Edward Maytin, MD, PhD
Board member & co-inventorDermatology and photomedicine · Cleveland Clinic
Edward is a physician-scientist whose expertise in skin biology, photomedicine, and sun-related disease helps guide scientific and clinical strategy.
Institutional affiliations are provided for identification only and do not imply institutional endorsement.
Brands & formulators
Let's develop what comes next.
We are seeking partners for prototype formulations, manufacturing scale-up, testing, distribution, and commercial development.
Start a conversationPartners & investors
Explore the science in depth.
Detailed spectral characterization, formulation-stage results, intellectual-property information, and third-party safety reports are available to qualified parties during diligence.
We are also advancing a seed financing round to support scale-up and commercial partnerships.
Request information package