BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and 3Helix Inc., a U.S.-based technology startup, announce their innovation partnership on 3Helix’s proprietary Collagen Hybridizing Peptide (CHP) technology. The partnership involves an equity investment and licensing agreement, granting BASF exclusive rights to commercialize CHP solutions for the personal care field.
3Helix’s patented CHP technology is based on short, single-stranded collagen-like peptides that have the unique ability to bind to damaged and denatured collagen, enabling extraordinary anti-aging claims.
The partnership comes after successful research and development work by 3Helix, which has seen their CHP technology quickly progress from laboratory scale to pilot stage. Recognizing the immense potential of this technology, BASF plans to bring it in-house and aims to launch initial CHP solutions in 2025.
Since its establishment in 2015, 3Helix has focused on developing an innovative technology platform to target damaged collagen for various applications, including personal care.
“It has been an exciting journey to bring our technology to this point where we can partner with BASF,” states Mike Kirkness, CEO of 3Helix Inc. “We look forward to the intense collaboration in the coming years and welcome BASF to the 3Helix Board of Directors.”
“With this partnership, BASF continues to demonstrate our investment in open innovation and expand our innovative offerings to our customers,” said Dr. Marina Safont Sempere, Director of New Business Models & Digital Officer, Care Chemicals at BASF. “3Helix’s results from laboratory trials are very encouraging and show the potential of this new innovation for the personal care market.”