Revolutionizing Women's Health Through Innovation

In the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, a biotechnology breakthrough is turning agricultural waste into a powerhouse for women's wellness. Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi (TEO), a pioneering company, has developed Ovitage®, a patented collagen-rich ingredient derived from sheepskin by-products. This innovation addresses key challenges in menopause and healthy ageing while promoting sustainability in New Zealand's robust sheep farming industry.

Sheepskin, often discarded as low-value waste from meat processing, is now the source of a premium, bioavailable collagen platform. Ovitage® stands out with its full-spectrum composition, including Types I, III, V, and X collagen, alongside high levels of essential amino acids like cystine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and arginine. These components target women's specific physiological needs during hormonal transitions.

New Zealand's agricultural sector slaughters around 20 million sheep annually, generating substantial sheepskin waste. TEO's process upcycles over 550 tonnes yearly, diverting it from landfills and creating high-value exports worth millions.

This dual impact—health innovation and circular economy—positions TEO as a leader in sustainable biotech, with production scaling from 200 tonnes per annum (tpa) to over 1,000 tpa by 2028.

The Agricultural Waste Challenge in Aotearoa

New Zealand's sheep industry is iconic, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing billions to the economy. Yet, for every lamb processed, the skin—a byproduct comprising up to 10% of live weight—often ends up in low-value uses like pet food or disposal. With sheep numbers hovering around 23-25 million and annual slaughter exceeding 18 million head, this translates to tens of thousands of tonnes of potential waste.

Traditional extraction methods for bovine or marine collagen use only the hide, discarding valuable inner layers. TEO's tertiary extraction technology processes the entire skin, maximizing yield and preserving bioactive integrity. This step-by-step process involves:

• Pre-treatment to remove impurities while maintaining structure.
• Controlled enzymatic hydrolysis to break down into peptides.
• Precision fractionation to isolate full-spectrum collagens and aminos.
• Purification and drying into a soluble powder.

Certified under Risk Management Programme (RMP) standards, the facility ensures food-grade quality for global markets.

By upcycling this waste, TEO reduces environmental footprint—landfill methane emissions and processing energy—while boosting farmer returns through premium byproduct sales.

Unveiling Ovitage®: Composition and Superiority

Ovitage® isn't just collagen; it's a bioactive protein platform engineered for efficacy. Unlike standard hydrolysed collagen (primarily Types I and III from cow hide or fish scales), Ovitage® offers a complete profile mimicking human tissue:

• Type I & III: Skin elasticity, wound healing.
• Type V & X: Cell surface interactions, hair follicle support.
• High cystine for glutathione (antioxidant), tyrosine for dopamine (mood/brain fog), glutamic acid for gut barrier.

Studies on similar collagen peptides show improved skin hydration (up to 28%), elasticity (19%), wrinkle reduction, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Its rapid absorption—faster than dairy or plant proteins—enhances bioavailability.

For New Zealand women, where ethical sourcing matters, ovine origin avoids marine overfishing concerns and leverages local ag strengths.

Menopause: New Zealand's Hidden Health Burden

Menopause marks the end of reproductive years, typically around age 51, but perimenopause starts in the 40s. In NZ, 47% of women 40-60 have experienced it, with 83% reporting symptoms like fatigue (60%), brain fog (56%), hot flushes, joint pain, and anxiety. Māori women face exacerbated issues: higher fatigue (74%), joint pain (55%).

75% say symptoms impair work: reduced concentration, motivation loss, stress. 25% halve efficiency; 12% left workforce in last decade partly due to symptoms, costing productivity and earnings (up to 10% drop post-diagnosis). Globally, closing women's health gaps could add US$1T to GDP by 2040; NZ employers risk retention in female-dominated sectors.

Estrogen decline slashes collagen production by 30% in first 5 years, accelerating skin sagging, joint wear, bone loss (osteoporosis risk doubles).

Collagen's Role in Combating Menopausal Changes

Collagen, the body's most abundant protein (30% total), forms scaffolds for skin, bones, joints. Postmenopause, loss accelerates; supplements counter this. Meta-analyses confirm:

• Skin: +12% hydration, +9% elasticity, wrinkle reduction (26 RCTs, 1721 participants).
• Bone: Increased BMD in postmenopausal women (5g/day, 12 months).
• Joints: Reduced pain, improved mobility (specific peptides).

Ovitage®'s unique aminos enhance: cystine boosts glutathione against oxidative stress; tyrosine aids neurotransmitters for mood/cognition; BCAAs preserve muscle amid hormonal shifts.

TEO plans category-first trials for menopause outcomes, building on general evidence.Explore biotech research careers

From Lab to Lifestyle: Everee Women™ Products

TEO supplies Ovitage® to brands like Everee Women™, offering stage-specific powders:

• Balance (30s): Core collagen for vitality.
• Perimenopause: + Kiwifruit for gut health.
• Menopause: Hormone support blend.
• Post-Menopause: + Blackcurrant for antioxidants.

Mixable in drinks/food, users report stronger hair/nails, better skin/joints, less fog. Global partnerships (e.g., MarketWell Nutrition US) expand reach.

Sustainability Meets Economic Growth

Upcycling aligns with NZ's circular bioeconomy. TEO's facility processes waste sustainably, cutting emissions, creating biotech jobs. Finalist in Fieldays/Primary Industries Awards 2025, it extends ag value chain: from commodity to $20M+ capacity.

Farmers gain new revenue; exports to US/Europe/Asia boost GDP. For careers in this space, check New Zealand jobs in agrotech.

Stakeholder Views and Research Horizon

Dr. Rob Kelly (TEO CSO): "Ovitage® delivers the right proteins for women, from sheep science." Experts praise sustainability; women's health advocates note menopause's under-discussed toll.

Upcoming trials will validate Ovitage® for skin, bone, cognition in menopause. Complements HRT, lifestyle for holistic ageing.

Future Outlook: Scaling Impact Globally

TEO eyes Asia/Europe expansion, GLP-1 companions for muscle preservation. NZ biotech thrives, linking unis/researchers to industry. For advice, see higher ed career paths.

Implications: Empowered women, greener ag, trillion-dollar health gains.

Photo by Noble Mitchell on Unsplash

Practical Steps for Women and Wellness Seekers

• Consult doctor before supplements, especially peri/menopause.
• Combine Ovitage® with exercise, diet for synergy.
• Employers: Foster open talks, flexible policies.
• Explore research jobs in women's health biotech.

Discover how innovations like Ovitage® bridge waste to wellness, empowering NZ women through science.