Quicksilver Scientific partnered with Truss CBD USA, which is a joint venture between Molson Coors and HEXO Cannabis. Quicksilver will provide their patent-pending nanoemulsion delivery technology for use in Veryvell, Truss's new US line of non-alcoholic, hemp-derived CBD beverages.
The Veryvell line is designed as an alternative to alcohol, so the team designed products to have a very fast cannabinoid absorption, uptake and offset from the system, mirroring the experience of consuming an alcoholic beverage.
Quicksilver Scientific applied its experience developing nutraceutical protocols to contribute to Veryvell's three formulations, each intended to deliver an entourage of distinctive benefits. The three blends include "Focus" (grapefruit and tarragon with ginseng and guarana), "Mind & Body" (strawberry and hibiscus with ashwagandha and elderberry) and "Unwind" (blueberry and lavender flavors with ashwagandha and L-Theanine).
A force to be reckoned with
“Delivery technologies are going to be a huge, disruptive force in the US cannabis beverage market and Quicksilver Scientific is on the forefront, with the most advanced, efficacious, patent-pending delivery technology,” said David Durkee, vice president of new ventures, Quicksilver Scientific.
“In addition, disruption is not only about using the best emulsion, but also pairing it with the most sophisticated beverage making techniques, which is where Molson Coors shines. Coupling our advanced delivery technology with their product manufacturing expertise is a transformative shift in the CBD beverage industry,” Durkee added, who came to Quicksilver from Molson Coors, where he spent nearly ten years in a wide range of roles, including global product development.
A decade in the making
Because CBD is not water-soluble, manufacturers often find it challenging to mix it into beverages. Durkee explained that their nanoemulsion technology overcomes these challenges by encapsulating nano-sized CBD particles in water-soluble spheres that can be added to liquid —something Quicksilver Scientific has spent the past decade perfecting.
“The miniscule CBD particles are able to pass between cells and enter the bloodstream directly, meaning a more rapid uptake and effect. The microscopic size of our CBD particles also provides transparency in appearance, which is so important for beverage applications and stands in direct contrast to the hazy or cloudy appearance of other emulsions currently being used in the cannabis beverage market,” explained Durkee.
“In the past, CBD emulsions have been made from crude, cheap, macro emulsions, meaning bigger droplets and a milky or cloudy look. Now, with our sophisticated nanoemulsion technology, beverages can carry very small, transparent and stable emulsions that offer rapid and high bioavailability, deliver CBD plus different terpenes and nutraceuticals, and provide not just brain effects but also an array of beneficial effects on the nervous system, the immune system and the metabolic system all at once.”
Durkee added that Quicksilver Scientific is in the unique position of providing medicinal and nutritional functional CBD beverages that help build wellbeing at a foundational, cellular level.
From Canada to the US
Durkee told NutraIngredients-USA that the companies decided to expand their presence with the US launch of the Verywell line following a successful two-year partnership between Quicksilver and Truss Beverages in Canada:
“Quicksilver Scientific was already a trusted partner in the development and production of Veryvell’s Canadian line of water-soluble cannabis products, and our sophisticated delivery system had proven to be exceptional in terms of quality and consistency. As a result, there was a natural opportunity to extend that partnership to the new US venture, ensuring that these products also provide a best-in-class consumer experience. We are really excited to be powering Molson Coors’ most significant development of the last century.”
More to come
“We’re really excited to continue exploring other potential beverage applications and build new partnerships in that space. Our nanoemulsion technology can deliver a variety of functional ingredients in addition to CBD,” said Durkee. “We also see opportunities to work with leading CPG companies, helping them create cutting-edge products in a variety of formats—gummies, lozenges, chewable tablets, etc.—that use our technology to offer consumers exceptional bioavailability.”
The ready-to-drink lineup is currently available in Colorado, a state known for being an early cannabis adopter with a regulatory infrastructure for consumable CBD products already in place.
