Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

From The Earth Naturally Ltd. (FTEN) was established in 2002 by three entrepreneurs as a natural health supplement company built by women for women, providing Condition-Specific Functional Natural Health Beverages according to the highest standards in the holistic approach to healthy living. FTEN is developing a new supplement called VIVACA to alleviate peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue and occasional mood swings. FTEN's science based, proprietary herbal formulation is produced and packaged under rigorous regulatory approved quality standards. VIVACA has undergone four years of research and development, utilizing a Canadian value chain from field to shelf and a qualified scientific team for validation of the formulation. Through collaboration with Olds College School of Innovation (OCSI), FTEN will access the required expertise and unique bioprocessing, technology incubator and analytical facilities over the next three years for scale-up manufacture and development of VIVACA and to achieve these specific goals:(1) Develop and refine the leaching process to achieve repeatable bio-active levels using multiple botanicals;(2) Optimize extract concentration and compare available technologies; (3) Develop and apply analytical technology for the polyherbal formulation; (4) Conduct accelerated stability testing of the formulation; (5) Conduct toxicology and purity testing of the formulation; (6) Develop individual GMP programs for the process, facility and personnel training. The outcomes of this research project will position FTEN and VIVACA for Canadian market entry and future success in the natural health products industry.