Locations
Tel Aviv, Israel
Email Us
capsibreed@gmail.com
About The CompanyCapsiBreed
CapsiBreed is a Tel Aviv–based ag-biotech company pioneering gene editing in peppers through its proprietary platform, PepGEM™. Built on years of academic research and scientific refinement, PepGEM™ enables precise, rapid, and efficient modification of hot and sweet pepper varieties—overcoming the longstanding biological barriers of pepper transformation. The platform empowers seed companies to introduce high-value traits such as improved shelf life, flavor, yield, nutrition, and disease resistance in a fraction of the time and cost required by traditional breeding. By offering both trait development and molecular breeding services, CapsiBreed is shaping the future of functional food ingredients and sustainable agriculture.
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Dr. Oded Skaliter: Engineering Healthier Crops Through Science and Vision
Dr. Oded Skaliter’s passion for plant science was first sparked by his grandfather, an international expert in desert agriculture. As an undergraduate, he was introduced to groundbreaking research on anthocyanin-rich purple tomatoes developed in the laboratory of Prof. Cathie Martin—a moment that shaped his future direction. He became intrigued by the possibilities molecular biology offered for improving crops for human health and knew this was the path he would pursue professionally.
Today, as the co-founder of CapsiBreed, Dr. Skaliter is helping the agriculture and food industries develop crops enriched with natural health-promoting compounds. With a PhD in Plant Sciences from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he combines strong academic expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset focused on real-world value.
Founded in 1918, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is one of the world’s most respected academic institutions and Israel’s leading center for scientific research, technology development, and entrepreneurship. Consistently ranked among the top 100 universities globally and recognized as Israel’s most productive research university, HUJI has been the origin of countless groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped industries ranging from medicine and cybersecurity to agriculture and biotechnology.
With over 100 years of academic excellence, the university is home to eight Nobel Prize laureates, numerous Fields Medal and Israel Prize winners, and hundreds of patents and technologies that have led to the creation of market-defining companies.
The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, based in Rehovot, is particularly renowned for its expertise in plant sciences, genomics, molecular biology, and agritech innovation. It is here that the scientific foundation of CapsiBreed was developed, through more than a decade of research into genetic transformation, precision breeding, and advanced tissue culture in peppers, led by world-renowned experts, including Prof. Alexander Vainstein.
HUJI’s technology transfer company, Yissum, has facilitated the commercialization of thousands of innovations and the launch of over 200 successful startups. Companies like Mobileye (acquired by Intel for $15.3 billion), BriefCam (acquired by Canon), and OrCam (AI-based vision technology) all trace their origins back to research conducted at the Hebrew University.
This deep-rooted culture of excellence and impact has made HUJI a trusted partner of global industry leaders, governments, and research institutions. Its dedication to applied science and translational research makes it a catalyst for innovation with global reach—and CapsiBreed is proud to continue that legacy by bringing next-generation gene editing technology to the agricultural market.
Agriculture & Farming
Food Industry
Health & Nutrition
AgTech Firms
Pharmaceutical
Our Technology ImpactEfficiency & Performance
Faster Breeding Cycle
300% faster breeding cycle compared to conventional methods
Reduced Trait Development Time
Trait development time reduced from 5–7 years → 1–2 years
Transformation Efficiency
Up to 5x higher success rates in pepper editing (vs. traditional transformation protocols)
Multiplex Gene Editing
Supports 3+ traits in a single modification cycle
No Off-Target Edits
Validated with PCR, sequencing, and AI-based guide RNA design
Why Choose UsOur technology delivers exceptional results.
CapsiBreed Advantages
CapsiBreed combines cutting-edge gene editing with deep crop expertise to overcome the toughest barriers in pepper breeding. Our proprietary PepGEM™ technology enables faster, more precise development of high-value traits—delivering novel pepper varieties that meet the needs of seed companies, growers, and consumers. With validated results, strategic partnerships, and a first-mover edge, CapsiBreed is redefining what’s possible in hot and sweet pepper innovation.
$701 Million
Pepper Seeds Market
Genetic Engineering Market
Red Bell Pepper
From any variety
Trait discovery
AI & bioinformatics to identify target genes
DNA tool setup
Using our proprietary molecular breeding platform
Genetic modification
Using our proprietary molecular breeding platform
Successfully Modified Plants
Seed Selection
Growing new modified plant
Modified Bell Pepper
- Faster Breeding Cycles → 3× faster time-to-market vs. traditional methods
- Trait Licensing Opportunities → Competitive differentiation and new revenue streams
- Custom Trait Development → Contract services to edit elite germplasm
- Stacked Traits → Combine multiple improvements in one genetic line (e.g., flavor + disease resistance)
Our Global Partners
Partnership with BreedX
CapsiBreed is now in a strategic partnership with BreedX, a well-established Israeli ag‑biotech innovator known for its consumer‑focused seedless Sweet Seedless Pepper (SLP) “Pepperito®” and taste-driven tomato varieties. BreedX’s premium genetics and global commercialization experience complement CapsiBreed’s gene-editing innovation, enabling a powerful joint value proposition based on rapid trait commercialization and differentiated product launches.
Contract with Erma Zaden
CapsiBreed partnered with Dutch seed company Erma Zaden to develop gene-edited pepper varieties using PepGEM™. The agreement provides access to elite germplasm, shared IP rights on new traits, and future royalties from commercial sales. It also expands CapsiBreed’s market reach to Europe, Morocco, Mexico, and the U.S. while strengthening its position in the global pepper seed market.
Regulatory Partnership for U.S. Market Entry
CapsiBreed has signed a Letter of Intent with a U.S.-based agricultural biotech company to support regulatory approval for its gene-edited pepper varieties. This collaboration brings critical expertise in navigating the USDA’s approval process, accelerating CapsiBreed’s path to commercialization in the United States and Australia. The partnership enhances CapsiBreed’s regulatory readiness while reinforcing its position as a global leader in precision pepper breeding.
“Tnufa” Grant – Israel Innovation Authority
CapsiBreed was awarded a Tnufa grant from the Israel Innovation Authority to support the development of proof-of-concept pepper lines with resistance to TSWV (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus) and Western flower thrips—two major global threats to pepper production. The grant recognizes the innovation and commercial potential of CapsiBreed’s PepGEM™ platform, and strengthens its eligibility for future funding programs, including the Pre-Seed matching grant of up to $300,000. This support affirms CapsiBreed’s leadership in trait-driven crop innovation.
Get In Touch