Revela Founder Evan Zhao Launches Biotech Hair Care Brand Re:You

After selling biotech startup Revela to Oddity, Dr. Evan Zhao is returning to the consumer wellness space with his next venture: advanced biotech hair care.

Designed for women experiencing visible hair thinning and changes in hair vitality, biotech hair care brand Re:You launched on Wednesday. Rooted in advanced molecular discovery, the brand debuts with three stock keeping units (SKUs): the Dual-Path Hair Revival Serum ($141), the Dual-Path Brow Serum ($128), and the Dual-Path Lash Serum ($128).

The products are available on the brand’s direct-to-consumer (DTC) website, with the lash serum also launching on TikTok Shop. The formulations were developed by screening 20 million compounds. Powered by a proprietary ingredient called Novogro, the line simultaneously targets multiple biological pathways that influence hair health and vitality.

In a 150-person clinical trial, 90 percent of users reported a decrease in hair loss in the shower after three months, while 86 percent saw new growth in targeted areas over the same period.

"We have seen a lot of biotechnology-based products that are not actually innovations. They’re just rebranding of plant-based materials," Zhao said in an interview. "We put $5 million into research and development of this product. It was very expensive and was a big risk, but we saw really positive results from it, and that’s why we decided to launch the product."

Re:You joins a growing wave of science-first startups, such as biotech firm ProTransit's antioxidant skincare brand Échelon, that are leveraging pharmaceutical-grade research to deliver true clinical efficacy to the beauty market.

Zhao’s co-founders include Deeba Daneshmayeh, Yvonne Yao, and Lan Tang. Dr. David Zhang serves as chief science officer, reprising the role he held at Revela.

The launch comes at a lucrative time for the category. Hair growth products—including non-over-the-counter (non-OTC) offerings—grew 9.8 percent in the U.S. over the past 12 months to reach $896.6 million, according to data from NIQ. This booming demand has also paved the way for other premium players, such as hair longevity brand Manuscript, which recently launched to target consumers focused on early hair preservation.

Beyond hair care, Zhao has also founded a pet care brand and plans to launch a new brand every few years. His ventures are backed by $11 million in research funding from investors including Mars, Maveron, and others.

Oddity acquired Revela in 2023 for $76 million. Founded in 2021, the biotechnology platform utilizes artificial intelligence to discover new molecules for consumer wellness applications.