Consumer demand for GLP-1 medications and gut health solutions is on the rise. A 2024 poll from KFF found that approximately 12% of U.S. adults have used GLP-1 drugs, including for weight loss, diabetes treatment and reducing heart disease risks.
In addition to this, digestive issues are reported to affect 60 million to 70 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. This increased awareness of how both weight management needs and the broader role of gut health in overall wellness are driving more people to seek effective solutions.
Speaking with NutraIngredients at the recent Expo West trade show in Anaheim, Travis Borchardt, vice president of product integrity and compliance at Nature’s Way, said that the company is welcoming start-ups and emerging scientists to submit their projects and ideas around things like gut health and microbiome science and GLP-1 support because, “in the next five to 10 or maybe even 15 years, we think those two topics are going to have a huge impact on our society.”
Entrants need to provide three key pieces of information, according to Borchardt.
First, they should explain their vision for the project and how it aligns with the objective of supporting gut health or targeting GLP-1 users.
Second, they must provide data that demonstrates proof of concept. This could include data they have generated themselves or data from existing literature, but it must be compelling enough to support their concept.
Finally, the third piece of information is the pathway to commercialization. Entrants should describe their current phase, the steps remaining and how Nature’s Way could assist in moving the project forward toward commercialization.
How to apply
Submissions are open to U.S. and Canadian researchers or start-ups, with rolling reviews, the company shared in a release. Nature’s Way is committed to providing a preliminary response to selected applicants of interest within four weeks, Borchardt added, which may be a request for additional information or scheduling a meeting before confirming whether the application has been accepted.
“Selected applicants will receive support and funding from Nature’s Way,” the company stated. “This may include securing funding to drive the successful completion of their project, as well as benefiting from the expertise of Nature’s Way’s highly specialized team across the value chain.”
Interested applications are may visit NaturesWay.com for more information.