CMO – MODERN MIRACLE AGAINST ARTHRITIS? IT’S NOT EASY TURNING A DISCOVERY INTO A MIRACLE
When a research associate of the San Diego Clinic found the report, he immediately recognized its potential. Intense research on arthritis by that group had been ongoing for several years, spurred on in part by the personal interest of the clinic’s director who himself was suffering from very severe osteoarthritis in both knees.
It wouldn’t take long to produce a small quantity for some preliminary testing, but there were drawbacks. The original substance was effective as an injectable, but to make it readily available to the public, an oral form would have to be developed. As an orally administered product the original injectable form often produced diarrhea or upset the stomach. It was a heavy oil that resulted a gooey mess when put into capsules. Furthermore, not only was it difficult to digest, its bioavailability was very low. Low bioavailability results in very little of a product actually being assimilated in a form that’s effective for its purpose in the body. That means more product is needed to accomplish its mission. And that drives up the cost, which was already very high as a result of the complexity in producing the substance.
Once the decision was made to try to develop an improved product, the original researcher was approached with an offer to join in the forthcoming project. For reasons not clearly expressed, he refused. Perhaps, as a result of the previous rejections, he felt there was no commercial value to the substance. Or he may have had other considerations. Whatever the reason, he rejected the offer.
What the new researchers were after would have to be quite different from the original, yet retain or improve on its effectiveness. Thanks to the genius of the biochemist who found the journal article, all of their goals were met. He was able to develop a product with high bioavailability when taken orally. Furthermore, it did not upset the stomach. Nor did it disturb the intestinal tract, except in the very most sensitive persons. And he managed to overcome one of the biggest hurdles: come up with a manufacturing process that was cost-effective. It was an amazing feat.
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