Hydrophobic active ingredients are widely used across cosmetics, food-tech, and pharmaceuticals, yet their formulation remains a key challenge due to poor solubility, limited loading capacity, and complex delivery systems. We present a proprietary peptide-based condensate platform that enables efficient, high-capacity encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules within biocompatible, liquid-like microcompartments. This tunable and scalable technology enhances solubility and performance of a broad range of actives, including cosmetic ingredients, food additives, and approved drugs, while potentially reducing required dosages and formulation costs. With applications spanning multiple high-growth industries and supported by two patents, this platform offers a versatile and commercially viable solution for next-generation delivery of hydrophobic compounds.

UNMET NEED

Encapsulation of small hydrophobic active ingredients remains a major bottleneck in both cosmetics and food-tech. Existing delivery systems, such as emulsions, lipid nanoparticles, and polymer-based carriers often suffer from limited loading capacity, poor compatibility with highly hydrophobic compounds, stability issues, and complex or energy-intensive manufacturing processes. As a result, achieving efficient, high-capacity encapsulation of diverse active ingredients in a biocompatible, scalable, and formulation-friendly platform remains a significant unmet need in the field.

OUR SOLUTION

We developed a proprietary platform based on peptide condensates—soft, liquid-like microcompartments that efficiently encapsulate hydrophobic active ingredients. Built from short, biocompatible peptides, the system delivers high loading capacity and can be finely tuned to different molecules by adjusting peptide composition and formulation conditions.

The result is a flexible, scalable, and formulation-friendly solution that enhances the solubility of active ingredients, including small molecules used in cosmetics and longevity applications, food-tech dyes, and FDA-approved hydrophobic drugs. By improving solubility and local concentration, the platform could boost performance while reducing the required dose of active ingredients, ultimately enabling more cost-effective formulations.

APPLICATIONS

This platform is designed to enhance the performance and formulation of hydrophobic active ingredients across multiple industries. In cosmetics and longevity, it enables improved delivery of compounds such as vitamins, antioxidants, and retinoids by increasing their solubility and effective concentration. In food-tech, it supports stable incorporation of hydrophobic dyes, flavors, and nutraceuticals into aqueous products. In pharma, it can improve formulation of FDA-approved hydrophobic drugs, enhancing their usability and reducing required dosages. Overall, the platform integrates seamlessly into existing formulations to deliver more effective, stable, and cost-efficient products.

MARKET/ POTENTIAL MARKET

This platform targets large and fast-growing markets where hydrophobic active ingredients are central but difficult to formulate. The global cosmetics and personal care market exceeds $500B, with increasing demand for high-performance, bioavailable ingredients. The food-tech and nutraceutical sectors, valued at over $300B, are rapidly expanding with a focus on functional ingredients and clean-label formulations. In parallel, a significant portion of approved and pipeline drugs are hydrophobic, representing a major challenge and opportunity in pharmaceutical formulation.

As a versatile, ingredient-agnostic solution, this technology can be integrated across these industries through partnerships with brands, ingredient suppliers, and manufacturers—offering a scalable platform to improve product performance while reducing formulation costs.

STATUS

The technology is currently at an advanced research stage and is protected by two filed patents covering the core platform and its applications.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

1. Peptide liquid droplets for partitioning of biomolecules and regulation of enzymatic reactions. 63/242,071;PCT/IL2022/050903; 18/433,057;22866873.7.
2. Glycine Composition and Ion Valency Tune Phase Behavior and Drug Encapsulation in Designer Peptide Condensates. U.S. Application No. 63/967,867 filed 26 January 2026.

REFERENCES

1. Baruch Leshem, A., Sloan-Dennison, S., Massarano, T., Ben-David, S., Graham, D., Faulds, K., Gottlieb, H.E., Chill, J.H. and Lampel, A., 2023. Biomolecular condensates formed by designer minimalistic peptides. Nature Communications, 14(1), p.421.
2. Veretnik, S., Harris, R. and Lampel, A., 2026. Glycine Composition and Ion Valency Tune Phase Behavior and Drug Encapsulation in Designer Peptide Condensates. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 18(7), pp.10820-10831.