Isracaps wins rights to manufacture and distribute starch-based capsules in Israel
Isracaps, of Tel Aviv, has signed a licence agreement with UK-based Stanelco for the manufacture and distribution in Israel of starch-based capsules.
Isracaps, of Tel Aviv, has signed a licence agreement with UK-based Stanelco for the manufacture and distribution in Israel of starch-based capsules.
Stanelco's internationally patented, revolutionary manufacturing process enables the manufacture of starch capsules in which drugs, vitamins, food additives and other substances can be preserved in liquid form. The current solution for encapsulation is a gelatine format, which limits the substance forms that can be encapsulated, is a longer process and therefore around 40% higher in cost. It also cannot easily control the amount of time it takes for the content of the capsule to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
This agreement will allow Isracaps to manufacture capsules prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, food additives, cosmetics and other substances. Isracaps becomes the sole player in Israel with the capacity to manufacture starch-based capsules using Stanelco's technology.
'This is one of the most exciting events to take place in the drug, vitamin and food additives markets in recent years,' said Yaron Berenholtz, ceo and co-founder of Isracaps. 'Presently, less than half the range of available drugs can be packaged in gelatine capsules due to interaction with the gelatine. The introduction of capsules made from starch, derived from plant sources, using a new manufacturing technology, will open up the drug capsules market and drastically reduce costs.'
Barrie Hozier, finance director for Stanelco, said: 'We expect that starch capsules will displace most of the existing gelatine capsules to become the new standard in capsules.'
Isracaps was founded specifically for the purpose of winning this licence from Stanelco. It is currently in talks with pharmaceutical companies and institutional financial investors, with a view to raising funds and signing a strategic cooperation agreement. It is also in the process of setting up manufacturing facilities in Israel and recruiting staff.