OLAPLEX Holdings, Inc. has made its first acquisition in more than ten years since launch, buying Boston-based biotech company Purvala Bioscience in a move designed to supercharge its science pipeline and next-generation bond-building innovation. The deal marks a strategic step beyond traditional haircare into bioinspired technologies that can power future health and beauty applications.
Biotech meets bond-building leadership
Founded in 2020 by Dr. Bradley Olsen, Dr. Justin Paloni, and colleagues, Purvala focuses on developing transformative bioinspired technologies with uses across the health and beauty industries. The company creates high-performing molecules inspired by naturally occurring biological structures, bringing deep materials science expertise into OLAPLEX’s orbit.
In addition to his leadership role at Purvala, Dr. Olsen serves as a Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, underscoring the scientific depth behind the platform. For OLAPLEX, the acquisition plugs advanced biotech capabilities into a brand already known for its patented bond-building technology and science-first positioning in professional haircare.
OLAPLEX leans into disruptive science
The acquisition is also a brand statement: OLAPLEX is returning to its roots in breakthrough formulation and professional-grade innovation. Since launch, the company has been defined by its bond-building approach, which reshaped prestige haircare and salon services.
“Since the very beginning, OLAPLEX was founded on the concept of innovation with groundbreaking bond technology that empowered stylists and their clients to achieve transformative results,” OLAPLEX CEO Amanda Baldwin said. “And scientific breakthroughs are what continues to inspire us as we remain committed to delivering the best possible products for our stylist community and our customers. What we’ve accomplished to-date has already left such a meaningful impact on our industry, and we believe that with Purvala we have the potential to create the next generation of disruptive science-backed product innovation alongside our patent-protected bond-building technology, Bis-amino.”
Building the next generation of hair health
OLAPLEX describes itself as a foundational health and beauty company powered by breakthrough innovation and the professional hairstylist, with products “born in the lab and brought to the chair” for both Pros and consumers. Since 2014, the brand has scaled its Complete Bond Technology™, designed to protect, strengthen, and relink all three bonds during and after hair services, into a full suite of hair health formulas sold globally through professional, specialty retail, and direct-to-consumer channels.
By integrating Purvala’s bioinspired molecule platform with its own patent-protected bond-building technology, OLAPLEX is positioning itself to lead the next wave of science-backed product innovation in haircare and beyond. While the company notes there are risks and uncertainties around integrating Purvala’s technologies and realizing the full benefits of the deal, the acquisition clearly signals a higher R&D ambition and a renewed focus on disruptive, lab-driven solutions for stylists and consumers.
What this means for stylists and shoppers
For professional stylists, the Purvala Bioscience acquisition strengthens OLAPLEX’s ability to deliver more targeted, science-driven services that go beyond classic bond repair, opening the door to new in-salon treatments and menu upgrades. For consumers, it signals a next wave of formulas that marry OLAPLEX’s bond-building technology with biotech-powered ingredients, raising expectations for performance in both professional and at-home haircare.
