For Immediate Release
GRATES COVE, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 7, 2026
7 Fathoms Releases Validation & Bioactivity Brief Highlighting Five Years of Research on Newfoundland Seaweed Extracts
7 Fathoms, a rural Newfoundland marine biotechnology and skincare company, has released its first Validation and Bioactivity Brief, bringing together five years of research examining the composition and biological activity of seaweed extracts harvested from the cold North Atlantic coastal waters.
Unlike many skincare companies that focus primarily on finished product formulations, 7 Fathoms has pursued ingredient identification, product development, and scientific research together. Since 2019, the company has collaborated with researchers at Memorial University, the Marine Institute, and Holland College to better understand the composition and biological activity of its seaweed extracts.
"Since the beginning, we've been trying to better understand the” aqueous” seaweed extracts that became the foundation of our products," said Courtney Howell, Co-Founder and CEO of 7 Fathoms. "As the research grew, we developed the Validation & Bioactivity Brief to bring together several years of findings into a single resource for customers, partners, researchers, and others interested in marine plant-derived ingredients and skin barrier science."
The extracts are derived from Laminaria digitata and Fucus vesiculosus harvested off the shores of Grates Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, where cold waters and harsh climates contribute to the seaweeds’ complex natural composition and bioactivity.
The brief characterizes the composition of the 7 Fathoms’ extracts and summarizes the results of laboratory testing conducted between 2019 and 2026. The research identified a diverse bioactive composition, including fucoidan, laminarin (beta-glucan), mannitol, alginates, and polyphenolic compounds, while in-vitro laboratory testing demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cell recovery, and cell-protective activity.
"The release of this brief marks an important milestone, but it should be viewed as part of an ongoing scientific journey," said Dr. Robert Helleur, Scientific Advisor to 7 Fathoms. "The findings summarized in this document provide a foundation for further research into the composition and biological activity of Newfoundland seaweed extracts. Continued study and collaboration will help deepen our understanding of these complex marine resources and their potential applications."
The Validation & Bioactivity Brief is available for download at https://www.7fathomsseaweedskincare.ca/pages/scientific-brief
Readers interested in marine plant-derived ingredients, skin barrier science, and ongoing seaweed bioactive research are invited to explore the findings and follow future developments. You can read our blog post on the subject here.
Contact Information
www.7fathomsseaweedskincare.ca
Contact: Courtney Howell, CEO and Co-founder
7 Fathoms Seaweed Skin Care
709-587-3880
courtney@7fathomsseaweedskincare.ca
Jamie Lewis, Marketing Lead
jamie@7fathomsseaweedskincare.ca
Background
7 Fathoms is a marine biotechnology and skincare company based in Grates Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. The company develops aqueous seaweed extracts from sustainably harvested North Atlantic seaweed using its proprietary extraction process and incorporates those extracts into skincare products designed to support skin barrier health. Since its founding, 7 Fathoms has collaborated with research institutions including Memorial University, the Marine Institute, and Holland College to better understand the composition and biological activity of Newfoundland seaweed extracts.
