The itch relief company has established a local team, manufacturing partnerships and new product strategy as it prepares for major U.S. growth in 2027.
Cosi Care, which makes medical devices that relieve itchy skin, has spent much of 2026 laying the groundwork for a major expansion in the U.S. market.
Co-founders Lauren Bell and Sandip Leihal believe the company is just getting started.
"The response we've seen from American customers has been incredible, and we're only scratching the surface of what's possible," said Bell, Cosi Care's CEO. "We've spent this year building the foundation to support a much bigger business. Now we're getting to the exciting part, where all that work starts to come together."
Cosi Care came to Buffalo in January after winning a $1 million investment from 43North, the state-funded accelerator that attracts promising startups to Western New York.
The company had already built a multimillion-dollar business in the United Kingdom, selling medical devices that provide cooling relief for people suffering from eczema, psoriasis and other itchy skin conditions.
The U.S. represented a much larger opportunity. Since arriving, Cosi Care has:
It's been a demanding year for the founders as they've navigated the challenges of establishing U.S. operations. But the results are encouraging: The U.S. now accounts for more than 60% of Cosi Care's revenue, and several of its biggest growth initiatives have yet to begin.
"There's an enormous amount of work that goes into preparing a company to scale, and much of it happens behind the scenes," said Leihal, Cosi Care's CFO. "We've been very deliberate about building the right team, securing our supply chain and making sure we have the capital and infrastructure to support growth. We feel like we're in a very strong position heading into next year."
Cosi Care is pursuing a sizable market. Millions of Americans live with eczema, psoriasis and other conditions that cause persistent itching, and the company believes its cooling medical devices offer a distinctive alternative to traditional creams and treatments.
The company, which currently sells primarily through e-commerce, is expanding its presence on Amazon and pursuing recommendations from medical professionals. It has identified approximately 9,000 dermatologists for outreach over the next several months, with the goal of making Cosi Care products a regular part of conversations about itch relief.
Longer term, the company sees opportunities to move beyond online sales into retail and other distribution channels.
Cosi Care is also developing new electronic products, including a portable cooling device designed to provide itch relief on the go.
The company now works with a network of approximately 30 Buffalo-based professionals and service providers, including manufacturing, marketing, compliance and finance partners. Among them are local firms 19 Ideas, Interlace Digital and KSL.
Leihal sees that network as an important part of Cosi Care's contribution to the region.
"One of our biggest successes is that we're feeding the ecosystem," he said. "We're working with local manufacturers, local agencies and local professionals. That's how you build something sustainable. We may not have hundreds of employees yet, but we're creating opportunities for other Buffalo businesses as we grow."
Cosi Care's founders say they've found a business community eager to make introductions, solve problems and help the company succeed. That support has reinforced their confidence in building a company here, even as they adjust to living thousands of miles from family and friends.
"People are incredibly supportive, and there's a genuine desire to help us succeed," Bell said. "We've found brilliant people to work with, we've built a great team and we're excited about what we can accomplish here."
