[Interview] Park Joong-woo, Executive Director at Nexbell Biotech: The Era of Skin Boosters Is Here
2026.07.16
"We have moved beyond the era of filling facial volume to an era of improving skin health and skin condition itself."
Market Economy met Jung-woo Park, Managing Director at Nexbel Biotech, who expressed confidence in developing Korea's first non-crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid (HA) skin booster. We discussed the evolving skin booster market, the company's technological edge, and its future business strategies.
The center of gravity in the aesthetic medical device market is rapidly shifting from dermal fillers to skin boosters. While filler procedures for volume enhancement were mainstream in the past, demand for skin boosters—which improve intrinsic skin health such as texture, tone, elasticity, and radiance—has grown significantly.
Amid these market dynamics, Nexbel Biotech has recently raised industry interest by challenging the development of Korea's first non-crosslinked HA skin booster medical device. Leveraging over 20 years of field experience in distributing medical devices such as fillers and skin boosters, Nexbel Biotech has engaged in R&D and is currently conducting clinical trials for its medical device.
Q: Could you introduce Nexbel Biotech?
A: "Nexbel Biotech is a biotechnology company that researches, develops, and manufactures medical devices in the aesthetic dermatology field. We operate manufacturing facilities in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, handling everything directly from R&D to manufacturing and sales. We have secured ISO 13485 (Medical Devices Quality Management System) and ISO 22716 (Cosmetics GMP) certifications. Above all, our competitive edge lies in the hands-on experience and market insights gained over 20 years of distributing fillers and skin boosters. Knowing firsthand what medical professionals actually need in the field significantly empowers our current R&D efforts."
Q: Why are skin boosters attracting so much attention recently?
A: "In the past, filler procedures designed to add facial volume for a youthful look were dominant. Post-pandemic, however, consumers seeking natural beauty have increased drastically. Demand is shifting from simply 'filling' the face to improving core skin conditions—such as skin texture, tone, elasticity, and radiance. From a practitioner’s perspective, skin boosters are preferred due to shorter procedure times and relatively quick recovery. In fact, while the global filler market grows at an average annual rate of around 8%, the skin booster market is projected to maintain double-digit annual growth."
Q: How do skin boosters differ from general cosmetics?
A: "Many consumers consider cosmetics and skin boosters to be similar, but they are fundamentally different. Cosmetics are topical products applied to the surface of the skin. Skin boosters, on the other hand, are sterilized medical devices delivered directly into the dermal layer to improve the skin's microenvironment. Designed to act directly within the skin, their manufacturing process and quality control standards are incomparably more rigorous."
Q: What are the key features of the product currently under development?
A: "We are developing 'Aeshilo,' a non-crosslinked HA skin booster utilizing our proprietary AHCT (AI HA Compound Technology). While conventional products mostly use crosslinking agents, our product features a non-crosslinked formulation. By combining high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, it is engineered to simultaneously deliver hydration and skin condition improvement. Notably, being the first in Korea to undertake clinical trials for a non-crosslinked HA skin booster medical device holds great significance for us."
Q: Why do you place so much emphasis on conducting clinical trials?
A: "Because objective data matters far more than flashy marketing. Although the skin booster market has expanded rapidly, few products have thoroughly validated their safety and efficacy through clinical data. Successfully completing our ongoing clinical trials will allow us to establish a new benchmark in Korea's non-crosslinked HA skin booster sector."
Q: What is the timeline for commercialization?
A: "We are currently conducting clinical trials. Our goal is to complete the clinical trials in the second half of next year, go through the regulatory approval process, and achieve commercialization by the first quarter of 2028."
Q: We understand that you are pursuing a cosmetics business ahead of the medical device launch.
A: "Alongside our medical device clinical trials, we are rolling out our cosmetic brand 'Amethea.' We began sales in April this year and received very positive responses from international buyers at trade shows such as Beauty Eurasia in Istanbul and CosmoBeauty Seoul. We are currently exporting to around 10 countries and plan to introduce a wider product lineup sequentially."
Q: How are you preparing for international markets?
A: "Global interest in K-Beauty and K-Medical continues to rise. Because there is no dominant global player in the skin booster market yet, we see significant opportunities. We recently brought on Executive Director Hye-jung Kwon, an overseas sales specialist, to expand our global network, actively focusing on the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Our strategy is to pioneer markets with cosmetics first and later expand with our medical devices."
Q: How do you foresee the future of the aesthetic medical market?
A: "The filler market will not disappear, but the main center of gravity is undeniably shifting toward skin boosters. Major global filler manufacturers and pharmaceutical firms are rushing into skin booster development. Moving forward, aesthetic procedures that maintain healthy skin will expand much faster than procedures that drastically alter facial features."
Q: Do you have any final remarks?
A: "Since the initial development stage, Nexbel Biotech has operated on the principle of 'creating products backed by data.' Technology can only earn market trust through objective validation.
Our goal is to successfully complete the ongoing non-crosslinked HA skin booster clinical trials, enhance the competitiveness of Korea's medical aesthetic industry, and grow into a globally trusted K-Medical brand."
