Ceapro develops and commercializes natural cosmetics and personal care ingredients including avenanthramides (colloidal oat extract), oat oil and beta glucan.
According to Ceapro, the move forms part of its expansion plans and is designed to increase global awareness and penetration of its products by providing ‘valuable data’ which can be used to support its sales and marketing efforts.
Assays to be completed within the year
“Several of these assays will target new high value therapeutic indications that can greatly enhance the value of our products,” commented Ceapro’s chief scientific officer, David Fielder.
The company said several studies will be carried out on its core ingredients, and Fielder said these are expected to be completed over the next 12 months.
The project will be carried out at the NRC Institute for Nutriscience and Health in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where Ceapro has leased lab space.
The collaboration is being supported by Innovation PEI through a repayable contribution of $100,000, said Ceapro, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is donating a non-repayable sum of $50,000.
Expansion plans
The collaborative agreement is the latest development in Ceapro’s expansion plans, and the company said its has been in talks with other enterprises interested in working with Ceapro and its products.
UK start-up company Oat cosmetics recently launched its first products onto the market that were developed in conjunction with Ceapro.
“Our goal is to get significant global exposure for our products and we are currently assessing numerous alternatives to reach that goal,” said Gilles Gagnon.
Ceapro said it is also working on development projects such as the use of supercritical extraction technology for new and existing products and the formulation of second generation products using a natural preservative and increased concentration of actives.