Solfarcos LDA

Solfarcos LDA is a Portuguese biotechnology company based in Braga, founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Minho. The company specialises in bio-based technologies, primarily peptides and proteins, for applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Its work spans molecular biology, bioinformatics, protein engineering, peptide synthesis, enzymology, nanoencapsulation, inflammation and immunology, cosmetics formulation, hair sciences, skin modelling, and chemical analysis. Solfarcos positions itself at the intersection of biotechnology and beauty, promoting what it calls "biotech beauty." Its peptide and multi-functional protein solutions target three main areas: pharmaceutical science, hair science, and skin science. In pharmaceuticals, its peptides can act as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or as signalling molecules in more complex delivery systems. In hair care, they are used for molecular repair treatments, odour control, and shape modulation. In skin care, the focus is on minimalist formulas with multi-functional peptides or natural extracts offering anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or antimicrobial properties. The company operates from a fully renovated 2,600 m² building in Braga city centre, which it moved into in 2023. This facility houses both its headquarters and laboratories, as well as an industrial unit for in-house production of proteins and peptides. Solfarcos has patented several technologies and holds exclusive exploitation rights in hair cosmetics, skin cosmetics, and pharmaceutical fields. Solfarcos offers a range of services to clients, including strategy development, peptide design and optimisation, production, specialised ingredients, and scale-up from bench to market. Its projects include KERAPEP (new peptides to restore hair properties), INSECTERA (a new bioindustrial sector), FOLSMART (liposomal methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis), PROTPILOT (pilot-scale protein bioproduction), and RHAQ (boosting SME competitiveness). The company's founding was inspired in part by a scientific article on changing the shape of hair with keratin peptides, published in RSC Advances by Professor Cavaco-Paulo's research team, which attracted the attention of AQUIS, Inc.

Solfarcos LDA was founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the University of Minho in Portugal. The company was set up by co-founding partners Professor Artur Cavaco Paulo and Dr Eugénia Nogueira. Its creation was inspired by the scientific article "Changing the shape of hair with keratin peptides," published in RSC Advances by Professor Cavaco-Paulo's research team, which caught the attention of AQUIS, Inc. From its inception, Solfarcos focused on developing bio-based technologies, mainly peptides and proteins, for disruptive applications in wellness and health sectors, particularly the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The company gathered a highly qualified team with expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics and molecular simulations, protein engineering, peptide synthesis, enzymology, nanoencapsulation, inflammation and immunology, cosmetics formulation, hair sciences, skin modelling, and chemical analysis. In 2023, Solfarcos relocated its headquarters and laboratories to a fully renovated 2,600 m² building in Braga city centre. This facility also houses an industrial unit for in-house production of proteins and peptides. The company has successfully patented several technologies and holds exclusive exploitation rights in hair cosmetics, skin cosmetics, and pharmaceutical fields. Solfarcos has been involved in several projects, including KERAPEP (new peptides to restore hair properties), INSECTERA (a new bioindustrial sector), FOLSMART (liposomal methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis), PROTPILOT (pilot-scale protein bioproduction), and RHAQ (boosting SME competitiveness). Its innovations include keratin-derived peptides for hair fibre molecular repair and a targeted liposomal treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

• 2023

  Relocated headquarters and laboratories to a fully renovated 2,600 m² building in Braga city centre, including an industrial unit for in-house production.

• 2016

  Solfarcos founded as a spin-off from the University of Minho by Professor Artur Cavaco Paulo and Dr Eugénia Nogueira.

Biotechnology company unlocking the potential of peptides for sustainable products in health, well-being, and beauty.

• KERAPEP

  New peptides to restore hair properties.

• INSECTERA

  A new bioindustrial sector.

• FOLSMART

  Liposomal methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis.

• PROTPILOT

  Pilot-scale protein bioproduction.

• RHAQ

  Boosting SME competitiveness.

1. 1Solfarcos official websitesolfarcos.com
2. 2About Us - Solfarcossolfarcos.com
3. 3Services - Solfarcossolfarcos.com
4. 4Solfarcos LDA (Portugal) - Wikidatawikidata.org