In'Oya

In'Oya is a French dermo-cosmetics company established in 2011 in Marseille by Abd Haq Bengeloune, a biomedical engineer of Senegalese origin. The company was created around a specific gap in skincare research: the need to understand and address pigmentation disorders in black and brown skin using biological and genetic characteristics relevant to those skin types. Rather than positioning its work as a general cosmetics venture, In'Oya Laboratory developed a research-led model combining laboratory science, dermatological formulation and distribution through pharmacy channels. The company's work was conducted with researchers associated with the CNRS at Saint-Jérôme in Marseille and INSERM researchers at the School of Pharmacy at La Timone. Its research centered on melanogenesis, the biological process responsible for melanin production. According to the company's documented research claims, the laboratory investigated the mechanisms contributing to dark spots and hyperpigmentation in skin of color. This focus shaped both its scientific identity and its commercial positioning: skincare designed with the pigmentation biology of darker skin in mind rather than adapting products developed primarily for lighter skin. A major technical development came in 2014, when In'Oya Laboratory developed an approach intended to inhibit the TYRP1 gene and the tyrosinase enzyme, two components associated with melanin production. The company filed European and international patent applications in partnership with Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS. These filings supported the development of a patented treatment intended to reduce hyperpigmented spots. The available material identifies the technology and its research partners, but does not provide a complete list of commercial product names, detailed formulations, or current patent status. In'Oya attracted early recognition and financing as a regional innovation company. In 2011, it received the Best Project of the Year award in the Le Phare de l’Entrepreneuriat competition organized by ACCEDE Provence, while Bengeloune was recognized by the Africangels network as a leading African entrepreneur in France. In 2012, the company received recognition at the Trophées de L’Economie organized by La Provence and won Carrefour's Innovate, Buzz, Win competition. The latter provided an opportunity to sell its products in more than 200 Carrefour stores in France. In 2013, Crédit Agricole Alpes-Provence Création participated in a fundraising campaign. In 2015, In'Oya completed a reported €430,000 fundraising round involving PACA Investissement, CAAP Création and CPG, with the stated purpose of continuing research and developing a skincare range for France and Africa. The company began selling its products through French pharmacies in 2015. Its documented geographic ambition therefore extended beyond laboratory research and direct cosmetics sales: France served as the initial commercial base, while Africa was identified as an important future or target market. In'Oya has also described an ecological and social sourcing approach connected with the Great Green Wall initiative across the Sahel, sourcing supplies from areas cultivated and maintained by local populations. The available references do not establish the company's current ownership, leadership beyond its founder, financial performance, product portfolio, website, or operating status, so those details remain unconfirmed.

In'Oya Laboratory was founded in Marseille in 2011 by Abd Haq Bengeloune, a biomedical engineer of Senegalese origin. Its formation reflected a research and market objective: to create skincare treatments that accounted for the specific pigmentation biology of black and brown skin. The company worked with researchers from the CNRS at Saint-Jérôme in Marseille and INSERM at the School of Pharmacy at La Timone. From its beginning, In'Oya focused on melanogenesis and on the mechanisms associated with dark spots in skin of color. Its early institutional recognition included the Best Project of the Year award at the 13th Le Phare de l’Entrepreneuriat competition organized by ACCEDE Provence in 2011. In the same year, Bengeloune was recognized by Africangels as a leading African entrepreneur in France. These distinctions helped establish the venture as both a scientific and multicultural entrepreneurship project. In 2012, the company received recognition at the Trophées de L’Economie organized by La Provence. It also won Carrefour's Innovate, Buzz, Win competition, which offered an opportunity to distribute its products through more than 200 Carrefour stores in France. This was an important step from laboratory development toward broader retail exposure. Financing followed as the company advanced its research. Crédit Agricole Alpes-Provence Création participated in a fundraising campaign in 2013. In 2014, In'Oya reported a technological development designed to block the TYRP1 gene and tyrosinase enzyme, both linked to melanin production. In partnership with Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS, it filed European patent application EP 2705830 and international patent application WO 2014037111. The technology was intended to support a treatment for reducing hyperpigmented spots. In 2015, In'Oya completed a reported €430,000 fundraising campaign involving PACA Investissement, CAAP Création and CPG. The stated uses were continued research and the launch of a skincare product line in France and Africa. That year, the company began selling products through French pharmacies. Its commercial strategy consequently combined scientific differentiation with pharmacy distribution, while identifying African markets as part of its expansion horizon. In'Oya has also described an ecological commitment involving supplies sourced from the Great Green Wall, the trans-Sahelian tree-planting and land-restoration initiative extending from Dakar toward Djibouti. The sourcing model was presented as connected to local populations that cultivate and maintain the relevant areas. The available reference material does not document later corporate developments, current management, ownership, financial results, named products, or whether the company remains active; those matters require additional verification.

1. 2015Fundraising and pharmacy launch

   The company completed a reported €430,000 fundraising campaign and began selling its products through French pharmacies, with plans targeting France and Africa.

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2. 2014TYRP1 and tyrosinase technology developed

   In'Oya developed a technology intended to inhibit TYRP1 and tyrosinase and filed European and international patent applications with Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS.

   Source
3. 2013Crédit Agricole investment participation

   Crédit Agricole Alpes-Provence Création participated in a fundraising campaign for In'Oya Laboratory.

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4. 2012Regional innovation and Carrefour competition recognition

   In'Oya was recognized at the Trophées de L’Economie and won Carrefour's Innovate, Buzz, Win competition, creating an opportunity for distribution in more than 200 French Carrefour stores.

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5. 2011In'Oya Laboratory is established

   Abd Haq Bengeloune founded the Marseille-based laboratory to research dermo-cosmetic treatments for black and brown skin in collaboration with CNRS- and INSERM-associated researchers.

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6. 2011Early entrepreneurship recognition

   The company received the Best Project of the Year award at the Le Phare de l’Entrepreneuriat competition, and Bengeloune was recognized by Africangels as a leading African entrepreneur in France.

   Source

Science-led dermo-cosmetics focused on the biological characteristics of black and brown skin, especially the prevention or reduction of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

• Hyperpigmentation reduction treatmentDermo-cosmetic treatment

  In'Oya's documented core treatment is designed to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation in black and brown skin. Its research approach targets melanogenesis, including biological pathways involving the TYRP1 gene and tyrosinase enzyme. The treatment is associated with the company's European and international patent filings, although the available source does not provide a commercial product name, full ingredient list, or current market status.

• In'Oya skincare rangeSkincare2015

  The company planned a broader skincare line for France and Africa and began selling products through French pharmacies in 2015. The available reference identifies the range at category level but does not enumerate its products or provide reliable details on current availability.

• 2012Innovate, Buzz, Win

  France

  In'Oya won Carrefour's Innovate, Buzz, Win competition, which provided an opportunity to sell its products in more than 200 Carrefour stores in France.

  Outcome. The award created a retail distribution opportunity with Carrefour.

  Source

• 2015Launch of pharmacy sales in FranceProduct launch

  After developing its research platform and raising additional capital, In'Oya moved toward commercial distribution.

  What changed. The company began selling its skincare products through French pharmacies and planned a product range for France and Africa.

  Aftermath. The available reference confirms the start of pharmacy sales but does not document subsequent sales performance or product expansion.

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• 2014Patent filings for a melanogenesis-targeting technologyOther

  In'Oya sought to build its dermo-cosmetics business around research into the causes of dark spots in skin of color.

  What changed. The laboratory developed an approach intended to inhibit TYRP1 and tyrosinase and filed European patent application EP 2705830 and international patent application WO 2014037111 with Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS.

  Aftermath. The filings supported the company's claimed treatment platform for reducing hyperpigmented spots, although later commercial and legal outcomes are not established by the available material.

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• 2015In'Oya products enter French pharmacies

  The company began commercial sales through French pharmacies while planning further product development for France and Africa.

  Product launch
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• 2014In'Oya develops and patents a pigmentation-reduction technology

  The laboratory developed an approach targeting the TYRP1 gene and tyrosinase enzyme and filed European and international patent applications with Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS.

  Product launchOther
  Source
• 2011In'Oya Laboratory is founded in Marseille

  Abd Haq Bengeloune founded In'Oya Laboratory with researchers connected to CNRS and INSERM to develop pigmentation treatments designed around the characteristics of black and brown skin.

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1. In'oya