andStartup

WellGen: Wellness Innovation

You may know, based on my profile, that I run a biotechnology/pharmaceutical blog for my company.  Well, for my July 1st post I’ll be writing about a Pharmaceutical start-up called WellGen, a New Jersey-based company that researches and develops new pharmaceutical products based on the concept of Nutrigenomics.

Nutrigenomics is the study of how foods and their bioactives, which we more commonly know as vitamins and minerals, interact with the human body at the genetic level to affect health.  The theory is that the more we know about these interactions, the better we’ll be able to customize treatments for different ailments based on our intake of a naturally occurring component in food.  Their first product, WG0401,is a patented extraction process that takes the beneficial phytonutrients (nutrients of plant origin) found in black tea and applies them to the human body to (primarily) reduce inflammation in the muscles.

What’s the concept?

Finding ways to treat disease and discomfort based on substances already found in nature.

Why should you care?

If successful, it would mean better drugs with fewer side effects.

How do they make money?

In the sale of their products and techniques to companies who have the muscle to get them out on the market.

Will this company last 5 years?

Given the recent trends towards better health and less of a reliance on drug companies who make compounds that have serious side effects, I would say this company has a great chance of surviving well beyond 5 years.

Suggestions for improvements?

Not at the moment.  I’m not as well-versed in what needs to happen for this company to market its product appropriately, given restrictions they may have to satisfy with the FDA.  I say, however, it’s a great concept and the market is ripe for a company that can provide innovative drugs that can lay to rest any fears one might have about side effects.