The dermatology-focused startup, which has multimillion annual sales in U.K., will begin to scale sales of FDA-registered medical devices in 2026.
Cosi Care’s cofounders have officially landed in Buffalo and they’re preparing a major sales push in 2026 for their FDA-registered medical devices.
The itch relief company, already successful with multimillion annual sales in the U.K., is riding strong momentum into the U.S. market after winning a $1 million investment from 43North, a New York State-funded accelerator program.
Now cofounders Lauren Bell (CEO) and Sandip Leihal (CFO) are ready to introduce products across their spectrum of customers and distribution partners, including dermatologists, doctors in related fields and families.
“We have developed medically-certified products that offer people tremendous relief they can’t find anywhere else,” Bell said. “Now that we have a proven product and strong understanding of the market, it’s time to put the pieces in place to truly invest in growth.”
Cosi Care’s products treat itchy skin, eczema and psoriasis – starting with its flagship complete itch kit product. The company is exploring its production plans, including advanced conversations with a Buffalo-based contract manufacturer. Domestic manufacturing will allow Cosi Care to avoid the supply chain disruptions that can happen in international shipping.
The company's organic marketing effort in the U.S. have led to a waitlist with more than 5,000 U.S.-based customers. Leihal said the company has spent the past month validating its manufacturing plans and American go-to-market strategy. He’s excited to become the latest use case of a scalable manufactured goods company finding a home in Western New York.
“Having Cosi Care in the U.S. and Buffalo means we can really open the floodgates on growth without having to worry about supply chain issues,” Leihal said. “We’re already fulfilling orders as soon as stock arrives in the U.S., and now we’re going to speed up and accelerate that growth.”
Cosi Care tried three times to win the 43North competition, cultivating its potential American market along the way. This year it didn't only become one of five $1 million winners, it also took home the $25,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield People's Choice Award.
For its application this year, the company brought on senior advisors Dr. Bethany Lema, a Buffalo-based dermatologist, and Joshua Mitchell, an experienced executive who has held positions in finance and biotech.
They are helping the company hone its U.S.-based marketing strategy, with an initial focus on clinical partnerships.
“As a dermatologist who spends every day at the intersection of skin issues and the complicated ways people seek relief, Cosi Care offers an effective and affordable solution,” Lema said. “It’s an honor to support a company that stands for much-needed paradigm change in the itch relief industry.”
Several 43North winners have found success leveraging the success of the program to establish significant manufacturing operations in Buffalo. They include:
Top Seedz: Artisan cracker and seeds company that moved into a 35,000-square-foot factory in downtown Buffalo in 2024 and now employs more than 70 people. Read a recent Series B article on Top Seedz here
FoodNerd: Developer and manufacturer of healthy baby snacks, which moved last year into a new 28,000-square-foot factory in Newstead, employs 15 and recently closed a $7.5M Series Seed round. Read Series B’s takeaways from the Food Nerd round here
CleanFiber: Manufacturer of building insulation out of recycled cardboard that employs about 70 people out of its factory in Blasdell, a formerly vacant building that once housed Bethlehem Steel operations.
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