Our R&D in food supplements is directed at plants, which
have nutritional or physiological effect on humans established by
solid scientific data.
We have focused on South African plants with metabolic
properties through collaborations with South African research
institutions including Medical Research Council (MRC) and
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and botanical experts.
Our project is carried out in respect of local legislation
including the Biodiversity Act and we prioritize local involvement
and job creation.
- Develop various novel food products and ingredients
(consumption and cosmetics) with best in class scientific data
supporting health claims
- Investigate various active molecules that we identify in the
plants to assess whether they as single molecules are suitable as
drug candidates
We have identified a number of botanicals having beneficial
physiological effects. In particular we have worked with certain
extracts of such botanicals that assist in the maintenance of
normal blood glucose levels and possibly reduce risk factor(s) for
the development of diabetes.
We are developing these botanicals as foods with health claims
and aim to partner with leading companies in this field.
We have performed a number of in vitro studies on a
specific plant that we are now advancing to clinical studies to
support a health claim.
We are involved in every aspect of the value chain where it is
relevant to ensure high activity of the plant extracts all the way
from the genotype selection of plants, ensuring optimal growth
environment and cultivation, extraction process, storage to
ensuring continued activity of the plant extract at the point of
sale to the consumer.
We have identified a small molecule RX-1 which we have taken
into pre-clinical development as an oral drug candidate for
treatment of type 2 diabetes. Please read more.
Both projects are subject to strong IPR.