Unmet Need

  • Thymol is a natural antimicrobial with recognized medical usage, but poor water solubility, volatility, and thermal limits hinder controlled release and stable medical formulations.
  • There is an unmet need for safer, plant-derived actives in healthcare/OTC (e.g., topical antiseptics, oral care, respiratory supports) with longer-lasting, process-compatible delivery formats—alongside opportunities in agriculture and hygiene.

Our Innovation

  • A platform of thymol salts featuring alkali (Li, Na, K), transition‑metal (Cu, Zn), and ammonium (TBA, choline) counter‑ions.
  • Straightforward synthesis (neutralization or metathesis) yielding defined stoichiometries (e.g., 2:1 thymol:Cu), higher melting points (e.g., ~171–178 °C for Cu/Zn salts), and tunable volatility.
  • Process‑ready forms compatible with medical‑adjacent formats (e.g., hydrogels, coatings, solid matrices) and polyethylene (PE) extrusion/molding) for broader materials integration

Advantages

  • Controlled release & lower loss: Thymol loss by evaporation at 40 °C is reduced for Na, Li, Cu, Zn salts vs. free thymol; K and ammonium salts show negligible loss under the same conditions.
  • pH‑responsive behavior: Cu–thymol displays faster release in acidic media and minimal release near neutral pH, supporting targeted delivery
  • Medical relevance: The platform leverages thymol’s recognized medical use while providing tunable release and stability that may support healthcare/OTC formulations (e.g., topicals, oral‑care, inhalation‑adjacent carriers), subject to regulatory validation.
  • Materials integration: Hydrogels can be loaded with salts (e.g., root‑coating gel in agri proof‑of‑concept); PE films compounded with Cu/Zn–thymol suppressed mold on stored forage—demonstrating retention and controlled emission.
  • Stability & reversibility: Solution stability over months (consistent NMR/IR); regenerates thymol under mild acid, confirming salt nature and facilitating on‑demand release.

Commercial Opportunity

We are seeking collaboration with:

  • Healthcare / OTC developers for topical antiseptics, oral‑care/coatings, and respiratory‑adjacent carriers utilizing controlled‑release thymol salts (subject to safety/regulatory pathways).
  • Medical‑grade materials and hydrogel companies exploring antimicrobial/anti‑odor actives in coatings, dressings, and devices.
  • Packaging/film manufacturers for post‑harvest and forage wrap (PE films with built‑in antimicrobials/antimold).
  • Agricultural input companies (biocontrol/fungicides, seed/soil treatments, transplant protectants).

Contact in Yissum: Ariela Markel