Turning Sheep Skin into Collagen Gold
One biotech company in Christchurch is making waves with the humble sheep – not for its wool, meat, or milk, but for its skin targeting the global demand for women’s health products. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.
They describe it as the ‘fifth quarter’ of the animal – innovations that transform bio-products or ‘waste’ from meat processing. Christchurch biotech company Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi Ltd (TEO) has revolutionised the upcycling of sheep pelts into the world’s most complete collagen, a product that’s revolutionising women’s wellness and sports nutrition.
The company’s breakthrough product, Ovitage, is a bioactive collagen derived from sheep skin that would otherwise end up in landfills. This collagen supports healthy skin, hair, and nails, but it also supports gut health, muscle tone, and cognitive function.
“This is about closing the loop,” says Dr Rob Kelly, TEO’s Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer. “We’re using science to turn waste into something valuable – for human health, the environment, and the economy.”
Their extraction processes use minimal inputs and generate minimal waste, making TEO a standout example of how biotech innovation and sustainability goals can come together.
“For New Zealand’s agricultural waste streams, there’s huge untapped potential,” says Co-CEO Kimberley Bray. “It’s about turning what others see as waste into globally competitive branded ingredients.”
She says that this model should also create new income streams for local farmers and processors as TEO grows. The company, she says, is also creating new career pathways in science, technology, and advanced manufacturing, contributing to the local economy in Christchurch.
Innovation in collagen
Ovitage is the patented branded ingredient of edible ovine collagen created by TEO. Due to a unique extraction process, it contains higher levels of key amino acids like cystine, tyrosine, and glutamic acid, compared to traditional bovine or marine collagens which results in a more bioavailable protein. The go-to-market strategy to start with for TEO is in launching Everee Women with the hero Ovitage ingredient as a supplement line developed specifically for women’s wellness across different life stages.
“We identified a gap in the market for effective, scientifically proven supplements for women’s wellness,” says Kimberley. “We’re offering products that are simple, effective, and grounded in real research.”
Everee Women’s range is designed and marketed to support women’s health throughout life’s hormonal changes – from balance support in the thirties to perimenopause, post-menopause, and active ageing.
Investment for growth
With more than $1 million invested into R&D over the last three years, TEO is committed to advancing the science behind its products. This includes ongoing research into bioavailability, efficacy, and functional delivery formats. TEO’s new manufacturing facility in Christchurch, which opened in 2024, marks a significant step towards bringing Everee Women to market at scale.
While TEO’s origins are in New Zealand, the company is actively expanding into global markets, focusing on North America, Europe, and Asia. Their recent presence at 2025 Fieldays was a key moment in their journey, as they showcased Ovitage and Everee Women to a national audience.
Rob’s presentation at the event highlighted the innovation behind Ovitage and the regenerative principles that drive TEO’s work. “Our goal is to redefine what’s possible,” says Rob. “We’re creating something that benefits people, the planet, and future generations.”
With their innovative approach to using New Zealand’s agricultural by-products, TEO is carving out a new space in the global wellness market. By pairing cutting-edge biotech with sustainability, TEO is leading the way in turning agricultural waste into high-value products that are changing the future of health and wellness.
