Asaya has strengthened its scientific bench with two key hires as it scales in-house R&D for skincare tailored to melanin-rich Indian skin.
Dr Prasun Bandyopadhyay has been named CTRO and strategic partner, tasked with leading the brand’s research agenda and innovation pipeline. His three-decade career spans R&D leadership roles at Unilever, L’Oréal Research & Innovation, Himalaya Wellness, and Dabur, where he was most recently VP of home & personal care R&D. He holds a PhD from IIT Kanpur and has over 50 patents and 50+ publications.
Vinitha K joins as head of research & development. She brings 18 years in biotechnology and product innovation, with global brand experience across Dove, Lifebuoy, Lux, Dermalogica, and Tatcha. She has 15 international patents in skincare, cleansing, and haircare technologies.
Asaya’s move runs counter to the industry’s outsourcing model. Instead, it is building internal labs and research infrastructure to control quality, speed, and efficacy. Hyperpigmentation among Indian consumers remains a core R&D priority.
The brand draws from the US market’s shift toward dermatologist-led, science-backed skincare. Asaya is positioning itself similarly as a credible, research-driven brand for India.
A significant portion of previous funding has already supported R&D, producing patent-led innovations, including MelaMeTM. New funding will deepen that commitment to science-led product development.
Asaya develops premium skincare exclusively for melanin-rich skin.
