Why
Because women deserve nutrition built for their biology - not borrowed from someone else’s.
Who
We’re Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi, a New Zealand biotechnology company pioneering sheep-derived proteins and bioactives for women’s health.
How
By upcycling ovine materials into precision-engineered peptides and bioactives, we deliver targeted nutrition that supports women’s strength, longevity and wellbeing - sustainably.
Novel Source
Ovitage® Peptides are upcycled from whole ovine (sheep) skin - a by-product typically discarded.
Sheep skin contains over four times the follicle density of cow hide, resulting in significantly higher levels of cystine and branched-chain amino acids than bovine, marine, or porcine sources.
The result: a more efficient, bio-active protein source for targeted nutrition.
Sheep typically have four hair follicles for every one in cow.
Novel Process
Through our proprietary upcycling technology, Ovitage® isolates all key structural proteins from sheepskin - not just collagen I and III. This breakthrough process is the subject of pending patents US 63/808,077 and US 18/862,274.
Sustainability, Guaranteed
Sourced exclusively from New Zealand’s free-range, grass-fed sheep, Ovitage® transforms waste into value.
Our closed-loop process ensures full traceability, low environmental impact, and zero deforestation - avoiding the sustainability issues common in bovine, porcine, and marine collagens.
It’s science meeting sustainability, naturally.
Ovitage® Collagen contains all of the structural proteins found in sheep skin and is rich in amino acids that are either absent or only present in low concentrations in conventional collagen.
Crucially, these include cystine, which is essential for the structure and health of hair, skin and nails, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which help support lean muscle mass development.
Cystine-rich peptides extracted from hair follicles have been shown to increase Collagen IV production in the skin, enhancing firmness and elasticity. Collagen IV also strengthens hair follicles, improving anchoring and helping to reduce hair loss. ¹
Cystine rich peptides boost dermalepidermal junction and strength of hair follicle
Higher levels of cystine, arginine, and threonine help promote stronger, healthier nail development, performing beyond what is typically achieved with conventional collagen. ²
Cystine supports the production of glutathione and taurine, improving recovery and antioxidant defence following exercise. At the same time, BCAAs assist in maintaining lean muscle mass and supporting joint health for active living. ³-⁴
References
1. Cosmetics and Toiletries, 134(9): 24–36, 2019
2. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 16(4): 520–526, 2017
3. Nutrients, 8(2): 104, 2016
4. Nutrients, 16(19): 3403, 2024 Epidermis
Ovitage® Biome Complex is rich in specific amino acids and microbiome-supporting New Zealand kiwifruit, helping the body respond to the multiple challenges of perimenopause - from gut health and inflammation to hair loss, skin vitality, mood and cognitive clarity.
Reduces stress
Heals gut tissue. Builds hair follicle strength. Firms skin. Reduces inflammation.
Improves cognitive performance and memory by increasing the neurotransmitter glutamate.
Promotes healthy gut microbiome
Ovitage® Biome improves cell viability by 17.2% compared to bovine collagen, helping support gut tissue integrity. It also enhances the growth of the beneficial gut microbe Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, supporting a balanced microbiome and systemic wellbeing. ¹
Cystine-rich peptides stimulate Collagen IV production in the skin, improving firmness and elasticity. Collagen IV also reinforces follicle structure, increasing anchoring strength and helping to reduce hair loss. 2
Cystine-rich peptides increase glutathione and taurine production, providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection. 3 At the same time, tyrosine supports dopamine synthesis to reduce stress, while the neurotransmitter glutamic acid aids focus and helps alleviate brain fog. 4
References
1. Journal of Nutritional Science, 6: e52, 2017
2. Cosmetics and Toiletries, 134(9): 24–36, 2019
3. Nutrients, 8(2): 104, 2016
4. Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna), 121(8): 799–817, 2014
Ovitage® Kinetic is a rapidly absorbable, high-quality protein source rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and cystine-rich peptides. Together, these nutrients help maintain lean body mass, particularly during periods of reduced appetite or slowed digestion associated with GLP-1 treatments.
Ovitage® Kinetic is a water-soluble peptide produced through enzyme hydrolysis, resulting in faster digestion and absorption. This rapid uptake helps counter the slower gastrointestinal processing that commonly occurs with GLP-1 treatments. The peptide complex provides a higher proportion of essential amino acids and BCAAs than conventional collagen, delivering superior nutritional value.
Ovitage® Kinetic contains twice the concentration of BCAAs - including isoleucine, leucine and valine - compared to standard collagen, all of which are critical for preserving and rebuilding muscle tissue. 1 In addition, cystine-rich peptides help maintain lean muscle and may reduce the muscle loss often associated with GLP-1 therapies. 2-3
Glutathione is a key antioxidant that protects against acute and chronic tissue and gastrointestinal stress. Ovitage® Kinetic’s high cystine peptide content naturally enhances glutathione production, helping reduce inflammation and support tissue resilience. 4–5
References
1. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13:1, 2016
2. Metabolism, 2025 Mar;164:156113
3. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15(1): 47, 2018
4. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 14: 562–568, 2011
5. Nutrients, 8(2): 104, 2016
Ovitage® Longevity combines a proprietary ovine-derived protein, rich in targeted amino acids, with a bioactive cGP peptide extract from New Zealand blackcurrant. This unique synergy supports the body’s key post-menopausal systems - enhancing brain function, metabolic health, vascular performance and muscle maintenance.
Improves brain function and reduces blood pressure by boosting IGF-1
Improves metabolic health by increasing glucose clearance, supports hair skin and nail health.
Improves cognitive performance by supplying important neurotransmitters and their building blocks.
High cystine-rich peptides help improve glucose clearance and insulin sensitivity, supporting balanced energy metabolism.1 The cGP (cyclic Gly-Pro) extract modulates IGF-1 activity, helping to regulate insulin pathways while promoting vascularisation and cardiovascular health. 2
Glutamate, derived from glutamic acid, plays a vital role in maintaining healthy brain function following menopause.3 At the same time, cGP helps normalise IGF-1 levels and has been shown to enhance memory, cognition and neural resilience. 4
References
1. Redox Biology, Volume 67, 2023, 102918
2. Scientific Report-Nature. 2014, 4, 4388
3. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2014 Aug;121(8):799-817
4. Nutrients 2018;10:714
A by-product of the patented Ovitage® upcycling process, BKP™ represents the next generation of ingestible keratin technology from the leading innovators in keratin science. BKP™ delivers specific bioactive peptides that target biological mechanisms essential for hair, skin and nail health, helping restore, protect and regenerate from within.
peptides strengthen dermal-epidermal junction to improve the skin’s natural barrier
Keratin proteins K31, K33A, K33B, K81, K85 and K86 - often depleted through colouring, heat or chemical treatments - are all present in BKP™, helping to replace losses and repair structural hair damage. 1-2 These keratin peptides also stimulate follicle protein synthesis, helping reduce hair thinning and hair fall.
BKP™ supports skin repair and regeneration by strengthening the dermal–epidermal junction, improving barrier function and firmness.3 Specific peptides within BKP™ also combat oxidative stress, helping protect against premature aging and inflammation. 4
With cystine (7.1 g/100 g), arginine and threonine (24.75 g/100 g), BKP™ provides the essential amino acids required for nail strength and growth, improving resilience and structure.
BKP™ provides cystine in the form of cysteic acid, which has been shown to increase production of glutathione and taurine - key anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mediators that support tissue health and recovery. 4
References
1. British Journal of Dermatology, 166(S2): 27–32, 2012
2. Australian Proteomic Analysis Facility Study, 2025 (Data on file)
3. Nature, 441: 296–297, 2006
4. Nutrients, 8(2): 104, 2016
True sustainable innovation in women’s health begins with respect - for nature, for animals, and for the origins of every ingredient we use.
100% New Zealand Origin
• Provenance you can trust: Ovitage® is sourced exclusively from sheep raised on New Zealand farms, where pasture-based systems are globally recognised for their sustainability and animal welfare standards.
• Closed-loop supply chain: From farm to finished ingredient, every batch of Ovitage® is fully traceable back to its origin, ensuring integrity at every stage.
Animal Welfare at the Core
• Ethical farming practices: New Zealand sheep are raised outdoors on open pasture year-round, under strict welfare standards governed by both government and independent regulatory bodies.
• Global best practice: Compliance with New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999 ensures humane treatment, freedom from unnecessary suffering and internationally benchmarked care standards.
Traceability & Quality Assurance
• End-to-end verification: Every production stage is documented, audited and traceable, guaranteeing product authenticity and consistency.
• Regulatory alignment: All Ovitage® manufacturing is conducted in MPIcertified, Risk Management Programme-audited facilities, meeting both New Zealand Government and international food safety frameworks.
Sustainability in Action
• Upcycling innovation: Transforming what was once an environmentally challenging waste stream into high-value nutrition for women’s health.
• Environmental care: With reduced waste, lower carbon footprint and regenerative practices, Ovitage® reflects New Zealand’s clean, green ethos and commitment to sustainable progress.
Shepherding a New Era in Women’s Health
A New Zealand biotechnology company pioneering upcycled, sheep-derived proteins and bio-actives for women’s health. We believe the future of nutrition lies not in “more protein,” but in the right proteins, those designed to meet specific health needs across a woman’s life stages.
To lead the world in effective protein nutrition for women’s health, creating a future where every woman has access to science-backed nutrition that improves not just how long she lives, but how well she lives.
• Origin in Ōtautahi / Christchurch, New Zealand: Rooted in one of the world’s leading agri-innovation hubs, where science and sustainability converge.
• Science-led and women-focused: Our team brings together decades of expertise in biotechnology, food science and women’s health research, driving innovation that’s grounded in evidence.
• Global ambition: We’re building a platform that positions Sheep Science as the new frontier in impactful health and wellness ingredients.
• Ovitage®: The world’s first ovine whole-skin protein - a breakthrough in sheep peptides uniquely rich in cystine, tyrosine and BCAAs, delivering targeted benefits for strength, longevity and women’s health.
• Future bio-actives: From lanolin-derived lipids to bioactive keratin peptides, we’re unlocking the untapped potential of New Zealand sheep to create highvalue nutrition for global markets.
• Upcycling with impact: We transform agricultural by-products such as sheep skins into premium nutritional ingredients, reducing waste while creating new economic and environmental value.
• Life-stage specificity: Our formulations go beyond generic wellness to deliver targeted protein solutions for perimenopause, menopause and active aging.
• New Zealand provenance: Every ingredient is backed by New Zealand’s globally trusted standards in animal welfare, food safety and sustainability.
Our Team Brings Over 200 Years of Combined Expertise
