Collagen, one of the main structural proteins in the human body, finds its primary origins for research and industrial uses in porcine (70%) and bovine (15%) sources, while fish and poultry account for the remainder. By 2028, the medical industry alone foresees the collagen market scaling to a substantial $957.4 million, culminating in an impressive total valuation of $7.2 billion by 2032. However, alternative sources remain limited.

Despite the growing collagen market, prevailing sourcing and production methodologies raise numerous ethical concerns. These encompass issues surrounding the animal-slaughter process, unethical fishing practice, as well as the detrimental impacts of bovine factory farming. Further exacerbating the issues is the undeniable link between collagen production and environmental degradation. A glaring example is its association with the cattle industry, which contributes to 14 to 17.3 % of global emissions.

On the other hand, while animal-derived collagen remains industry standard, its production also lacks efficiency and scalability due to prolonged manufacturing timelines. For instance, the fabrication of bovine collagen requires a total of three weeks, and six weeks when produced from chicken and animal byproducts. Given the demand for research-grade collagen, considerable resources are allocated to the extraction process, with steps involving raw material treatment, purification, drying, as well as stringent quality control and regulatory compliance. These complexities manifest financially, with collagen prices reaching to $230 USD for 20 ml for collagen sourced from calf skin, approximately 844 Euros per 25 g of human collagen. Consequently there is a pressing need for more cost-effective collagen production methods, while tackling the sustainability challenges associated with the traditional processes.

Additionally, modifying collagen to meet specific laboratory and experiment criteria is another time-intensive task, influenced by factors such as protocol complexity, quantity of collagen to be processed, and scientific expertise of the lab staff. This often raises concerns on the quality and consistency of the output, leading to research timelines being extended by several weeks to months. Additionally, the United Arab Emirates faces recurrent sourcing challenges due to strict biotech import regulations and the absence of domestic manufacturing, resulting in elevated shipping and handling expenses. This presents an excellent opportunity for collagen manufacturers in the Gulf region, potentially fostering a beneficial biotech environment for regional researchers.

The aforementioned challenges highlight a market gap, which can be transformed into an opportunity with the NYUAD iGEM team’s product: HypeColl. Our product stands as a more sustainable and scalable option compared to other collagen manufacturers in the industry. With our bacterial collagen-like protein (CLP), we are pioneers in the synthesis of a highly scalable and customizable alternative. Bacterial collagen-like proteins serve as a versatile platform, allowing for customized modifications to be incorporated as per specific requirements, greatly reducing research time and cost. Furthermore, this results in reduced shipping costs and handling times for research centers in the UAE, preventing delays in the research process.

This presents a significant opportunity for HypeColl, given our unique value proposition and our strategic positioning within a region characterized by rapid innovation and research across various domains. Specifically, the UAE stands as our primary target market, where research activities, encompassing both general studies and specialized fields such as health research, are experiencing a growth rate three times higher than the global average. This substantial growth, combined with the country's advantageous geographical proximity to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), elevates the appeal of this opportunity. This offers an opportunity to deeply integrate into the research value chain of the region.

This market analysis explores the dynamics and opportunities surrounding bacterial CLP within the UAE research and development sector, inspired by the increasing demand for sustainable, time-efficient, and dependable materials in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare research.

The global market for collagen, a vital protein with diverse applications, currently boasts a value of $9.76 billion. This market underscores collagen's significance across a myriad of industries, ranging from pharmaceuticals and healthcare to beauty and cosmetics. Within this vast landscape, the bioink segment, primarily utilized for 3D bioprinting and other advanced medical procedures, is of particular interest. The bioink market's total available market (TAM) stands at $738 million, highlighting its growing potential in medical innovation.

Drilling down further geographically, the Middle East claims a market size of $221.4 million for bioinks, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a key contributor. While precise figures for the serviceable available market (SAM) in the UAE aren't specified, it's reasonable to surmise that the country, given its progressive medical research infrastructure and high healthcare investment, commands a significant slice of this market. The serviceable obtainable market (SOM), which quantifies the realistic portion of the SAM that a business can hope to achieve, will be influenced by several factors, including market penetration strategies, regulatory landscape, and competitive dynamics.

Our vision extends beyond the bioink collagen sector. With our growing resources, established networks, and validated reputation in the bioink industry, we are strategically poised to branch into the lucrative cosmetics sector. The UAE's forecasted cosmetic market worth of $897.04 million by 2029 presents a golden opportunity. Our intent is to leverage our expertise from the bioink collagen domain and adapt it to the nuanced demands of the cosmetics industry. By fostering collaborations and harnessing cutting-edge research, we aim to introduce innovative products that cater to the region's affluent consumer base, aligning with the UAE's stature as a global beauty and wellness hub. Our phased approach will ensure that while we diversify, our core strengths and industry credibility remain uncompromised, propelling our business into its next growth phase.

1. Sustainable, Efficient, and Reliable Solutions: The collagen industry is experiencing a shift towards sustainable, efficient, and dependable alternatives, such as bacterial collagen-like protein (CLP). This transformation is driven by a growing demand for materials that align with the principles of sustainability and provide time-efficient and reliable solutions for various applications.
2. Research and Development Focus: The rapidly expanding landscape of research institutions, biotechnology firms, and pharmaceutical organizations in the UAE require advanced materials like bacterial CLP to support their R&D efforts.
3. Collaboration Opportunities: The UAE's research community often seeks collaborative partnerships with suppliers and research organizations. Companies offering sustainable, efficient, and reliable collagen alternatives have the potential to establish valuable collaborations within this market.
4. Customization and Adaptation: Research projects often require collagen products tailored to their specific needs.

1. Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that bacterial collagen-like protein products meet and adhere to the specific research and safety regulations within the UAE can be a significant challenge. Navigating the complex regulatory landscape and obtaining the necessary approvals and certifications may require substantial time and resources.
2. Supply Chain Resilience: Establishing a dependable and efficient supply chain for the delivery of bacterial collagen-like protein to research institutions and companies in the UAE can be challenging.

1. Industry Composition
   • Primary Sectors: Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and universities.
   • Employee Composition: Predominantly senior researchers, junior scientist, as well as undergraduate and graduate students.
2. Collaborative Approach:
   • Always on the lookout for symbiotic collaborations. Prefers to engage with suppliers and other research entities in partnerships rather than mere transactional relationships. Values long-term commitments and shared growth objectives.
3. Core Ethical Principles:
   • Sustainable & Ethical Practices: Has a keen interest in suppliers that not only provide high-quality products but also align with ethical and sustainable practices. Such alignment is seen as a reflection of their broader commitment to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical sourcing.
4. R&D Centric Approach:
   • Research and Development: Emphasizes groundbreaking research, innovation, and development. Always seeking advancements that can be implemented in their research labs.
5. Customization Preference:
   • Highly values customizable solutions and products. Prefers suppliers who offer tailored products that can be modified to fit specific research needs and requirements.

1. Khalifa University Center For Biotechnology (BTC)
2. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Health Sciences- a leading institution in the United Arab Emirates dedicated to pioneering advancements in healthcare and medical research.
3. Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology- is a prominent research institution in the United Arab Emirates, specializing in genetic research and biotechnology that works closely with Khalifa University.
4. TII Biotechnology Research Center- is an institution that leverages cutting-edge advancements in molecular, cellular, and digital technologies to cultivate human expertise and foster developments in the field of biotechnology.
5. MBRU-Biomedical Research Center (MBRU-BRC)

In our pursuit of developing a sustainable collagen solution, we've recognized the importance of involving a diverse array of stakeholders within the healthcare and research sectors. Our network encompasses renowned research institutions, regulatory authorities, and financial institutions. Additionally, our planned collaborations with leading research institutions in the UAE, such as Khalifa University (KU), have played a vital role in shaping our business plan and laying the foundation for exploring ways to successfully introduce our innovative collagen solution to the market. This collaborative approach ensures that we have a comprehensive and robust strategy for bringing our sustainable collagen product to the forefront of the industry and, in the future, expanding into other sectors, such as cosmetics.

A value chain outlines the sequence of activities used to take a product or service from its conception to its end-use by customers. Here, we analyze HypeColl’s primary business venture: supplying customized collagen-like protein in the United Arab Emirates.

Value chain analysis indicates that NYUAD iGEM has the resources to lead research and development in the product development stage. However, subsequent stages will require collaborations and partnerships for HypeColl commercialization and accessing the academic circles in the UAE and the Gulf. Additionally, our value chain analysis highlights that there's significant added value in logistics, given collagen's prominence in research and the country's biotech emphasis, underscored by the emergence of facilities like the Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park. As a result, NYUAD iGEM will concentrate predominantly on product development, while concurrently building relationships with local researchers, leveraging the initial network we've established with professors at New York University Abu Dhabi.

From our analysis, it's clear that HypeColl's standout features include superior customizability and faster handling time compared to international competitors. As new collagen manufacturers consider entering the UAE market, our established network sets us apart, facilitating research spotlight and product validation. Additionally, our customization remains a distinctive advantage. It's also worth noting that scaling collagen production in the UAE using traditional methods, such as sourcing from bovine sources, faces challenges due to the country's limited natural resources.

We're stepping into a greenfield scenario according to the entrepreneurial strategy compass by Scott, Gand and Stern. In other words, we are venturing into a segment of the UAE market that remains untapped. Without any prevailing competitors, our strategy is defined by urgency. This necessitates forging swift collaborations with local researchers, aligning these partnerships with our ongoing research endeavors. The objective is clear: make a quick and impactful entrance into this fresh market, which will allow our product to be research validated and spotlighted in publications.

Leveraging our greenfield positioning, NYUAD iGEM's primary directive is to channel efforts into research and development. Parallel to this, we will be proactively initiating conversations with potential stakeholders, beginning with the academic community at New York University Abu Dhabi and branching out to other institutions. While the absence of a patent on our technology is a reality, we pivot to our strengths: accelerated shipping and time-saving customization solutions. These attributes not only bolster the UAE research industry’s value chain but also position us as a coveted partner. Our approach is holistic – we aim to be reliable suppliers, adept product customizers, and persistent network builders. Post-sales, our strategy is to solidify these partnerships, offering them incentives that not only retain but also amplify engagement within our network.

Publication Spotlight

A key component of our approach is the integration of publication spotlights within our contract agreements. This ensures that whenever our products are used, they're not only recognized but also understood by our primary audience: researchers and stakeholders in collagen-centric sectors.

Understanding the complexity of our niche, we're determined to demystify our content. By simplifying intricate jargon and accentuating our findings with engaging infographics, we intend to bridge the knowledge gap for a broader audience. Platforms like ResearchGate and LinkedIn will be our mainstays, propelling our academic insights directly to professionals and peers. However, our digital engagement doesn't stop there. We plan to have a dynamic presence on LinkedIn, curating a blend of in-depth articles and snapshot insights. For a younger, more visually-inclined demographic, Instagram will serve as our canvas, bringing our research to life in vibrant colors and narratives.

Recognizing the digital age's power dynamics, we're also tapping into the realm of research-focused influencers, particularly on platforms like YouTube. Their ability to simplify and amplify aligns perfectly with our mission. Simultaneously, we're seeking alliances with esteemed research labs and universities, envisioning a series of educational webinars that promote deeper understanding and engagement.

Our strategy, while expansive, is meticulously designed to resonate across generations of researchers. It promises to not just extend our reach but to also usher in a continuous stream of feedback, enriching our impact assessment. With the collective insights, we aim to fine-tune our offerings and perfect our communication techniques. To ensure we strike the right balance in our messaging and avoid overwhelming our audience, we'll collaborate closely with the communication team at NYUAD, refining our content to its most potent and engaging form.

Ambassador Program

Following our focus on a publication spotlight, we're introducing the HypeColl Ambassador Program, a complementing pillar in our comprehensive impact assessment, reporting, and communication strategy. Recognizing the immense value of a connected and informed community, our program seeks to enlist both senior researchers and students involved in collagen research and related industries, empowering them to further HypeColl's mission.

As ambassadors, these experts will be at the helm of facilitating critical discussions and initiating transformative collaborations, amplifying our sustainable collagen narrative. In gratitude for their commitment, we offer a suite of enticing benefits: significant discounts on our innovative products, exclusive invitations to HypeColl organized workshops – providing them unparalleled networking platforms – and priority access to the influencers in our portfolio. This program, more than just a collaboration, is a mutual journey. Through it, our ambassadors don't merely advocate for HypeColl; they become driving forces in the broader dialogue on sustainable collagen, contributing substantially to our collective vision and impact. This is the final step on obtaining a comprehensive network of experts for our post-sales engagement.

Drawing from our initial value chain, our supply process to research facilities will allow us to cultivate a network of experts within the collagen R&D industry. This network serves as the foundation for Hypecoll's projected expansion into a rapidly growing sector in the UAE: cosmetics. Leveraging the credibility, validation, and marketing derived from our primary business venture, we project to penetrate the cosmetics industry by introducing collagen products that can be easily implemented within their manufacturing cycles. This product can be tailored to meet diverse cosmetic requirements, ranging from stability modifications to longevity and specific application areas. Moreover, our unique selling point would be their adherence to Vegan, Halal, and Kosher standards

To ensure optimal customization aligning with cosmetic companies' specifications, our expert network provides invaluable consultation. In this dynamic, Hypecoll acts as a conduit between the cosmetics industry and research professionals. This strategy not only enables medium-sized enterprises to engage in research and development (R&D), but also provides access to an unparalleled network of experts in the field.. After this consultation phase, Hypecoll commits to producing and delivering a dependable and sustainable product to the cosmetic firms, ensuring efficiency and quality.