The company’s Aquea Delivery System was first used to develop Aquea SPFx, a wash-on sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Patented technology encapsulates active ingredients into micron-sized particles, which are in turn positively charged.
According to the company, these positively charged particles are then attracted to both skin and hair, which is naturally negatively charged, infusing it with enough sticking power to ensure they are retained throughout the day, even after rinsing and patting dry.
Applications beyond wash-off products
Showcasing a paraben-free version of the product at the recent in-cosmetics show in Paris, Martin Flacks, chief operations officer at Aquea Scientific told CosmeticsDesign.com USA that the delivery system is not limited to wash-off products.
“Using silica to create a capsule around an active material allows the capsule to have a positive or negative charge,” he said.
“Additionally, it can be wrapped with a polymer release system (or waxes, lipids, oils etc) that can allow the release and delivery of the ingredient to be controlled; for example, a fragrance can be made to last longer on the skin.”
The technology can also be used in skin lightening, antiperspirants, hair conditioning and anti-aging products, and beyond personal care in the dental, pharmaceutical and textile industries, amongst others.
Advantages of delivery system
According to Flacks, the capsules have a very high payload (in excess of 95 percent) and are relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
”Silica is a plentiful and inert material, and the manufacturing process, which while extremely complex to customize for specific ingredients, once finalized, does not require extraordinary equipment investments,” he said.
“The manufacturing process scales up readily and has a high yield of capsules in the size range specified, so not a lot of post-processing labor is involved.” he added.
Development of technology
Aquea Scientific has established confidentiality agreements with several companies for the development of the technology. Currently, several examples of how the technology might be used have been developed, and proof-of-principle samples are being provided.
“Once we mutually agree that the proof-of-principle samples achieve the goals set out, we will enter into co-development agreements to begin focusing the end use point for the capsules; reviewing the stability and beginning to scale up as appropriate to the specific project,” said Flacks.
The company is seeking to establish collaborations that will help it develop the technology further.
“Aquea is looking to partner with a limited number of companies willing to commit to joint development, research or co-development agreements where both the client company and Aquea commit finances and resources to focus on specific projects that will go to market,” explained Flacks.