The company will host a meeting on November 20, 2014 in San Francisco/Oakland of its scientific/medical advisory board, which is responsible for guiding the formulation of the proprietary line of supplements.
“As we enter the third and final phase of product development for our CBD line of nutritional supplements, we wanted to convene our Scientific/Medical Advisory Board for its final review of and recommendation on the product formulation prior to our beginning the manufacturing process,” said Carl Germano, Inergetics' Chief Science Officer.
The advisory board includes Dr Justin Fischedick, Dr Joseph McSherry, Dr Michelle Sexton, Dr Yu Shao and Dr Mark Wallace. Inergetics CEO Mike James and CMO Jim Kras will also be present at the meeting.
Cannabidiol, a non-narcotic fraction of cannabis, has been studied for a variety of health effects, from antioxidant properties to anti-seizure effects. The health effects appear to be real, increasing the interest of some supplement formulators in the ingredient, but there exists some uncertainty around the regulatory status of the parent plant.
James told NutraIngredients-USA, however, that the initial product in the line will incorporate an important cannabinoid from a novel non-cannabis source.
“We’re not using cannabis, we’re using something else,” he said.
The company is planning to launch its products simultaneously into medical marijuana dispensaries and natural food stores next year.
James said that there was a “pent up demand” for the products. “It’s always good to be first to market, and come out with a product that is validated by the scientific community, and in-keeping with the heritage of our company,” he said.
Company history
James explained that the company’s origins were in nutritional support of lean muscle mass for patients with cancer and AIDS. This morphed into a product in nursing homes, explained James, but the product was up against the likes of Boost and Ensure. “We had a really great product but, in terms of price, we couldn’t compete,” he said.
Inergetics then moved into sports nutrition with its Surgex product designed to build lean muscle, and then purchased the Bikini Ready and Slim Trim brands.
The company then began working with Martha Stewart on the Martha Stewart Essentials product range, which currently has 7 skus available in retailers such as Walgreens, ShopRite, Hy-Vee, and many other stores. The success of the Martha Stewart brand has “opened doors” with retailers for the other products, said James. “Martha is absolutely fantastic with the retailers.”