3Helix

3Helix, Inc. operates as a biotechnology firm with a specialized focus on collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body. Founded in 2015 by biomedical engineering professors Dr. Michael Yu and Dr. Yang Li, the company is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The foundational technology, which was invented by the co-founders at Johns Hopkins University, centers on Collagen Hybridizing Peptides (CHPs).

The company's core business involves the commercialization of these proprietary CHPs, which are unique, single-stranded peptides engineered to specifically bind to damaged and denatured collagen. This technology offers a distinct advantage by targeting the structural difference between damaged and healthy collagen, allowing for precise detection and interaction. The business model encompasses multiple revenue streams, including the sale of CHP as a research tool for laboratory use, and advancing its compounds toward diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The primary clients for its research products are academic and industrial laboratories in fields like pathology, cell biology, and regenerative medicine. 3Helix has also entered the personal care market, with a significant milestone being a strategic partnership with BASF established in late 2023. This deal includes an equity investment from BASF and an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization of CHP solutions in anti-aging cosmetic applications, with a product launch anticipated in 2025.

The product portfolio is centered on the CHP platform. These peptides function similarly to how DNA primers anneal to complementary DNA strands, by reforming a triple helical structure with unfolded collagen chains. This specificity allows for a range of applications, from visualizing molecular-level damage in tissues to assessing the quality of collagen-based biomaterials used in regenerative medicine. The company offers various CHP products conjugated with fluorescent or biotin labels for direct detection. A next-generation platform, bioACTIVE CHP, is being developed to actively modulate collagen-driven cellular processes for therapeutic purposes, with a lead candidate in preclinical trials for complex diseases. This dual focus on research tools and high-value clinical applications positions the company to capture value across the entire product development lifecycle, from laboratory research to potential therapeutics. Keywords: Collagen Hybridizing Peptides, damaged collagen detection, tissue regeneration, biotechnology, fibrotic diagnostics, histopathology tools, regenerative medicine, molecular diagnostics, anti-aging solutions, cosmetic ingredients, BASF partnership, bioACTIVE CHP, extracellular matrix, peptide technology, cell biology research, molecular probes, tissue engineering, fibrosis research, collagen turnover, preclinical therapeutics