IminoTech, Inc.
123 W. NYE Ln., Ste. 424
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 888-6730
Website: www.iminotech.com
IminoTech was founded in 2018 to develop and commercialize a new class of biologically active carbohydrates called iminosugars. Promising mechanistic and clinical research shows that iminosugars can modulate a wide range of activities in the body, including regulation of blood sugar, body weight, immune function and joint health. The company is building an iminosugar technology platform with multiple ingredients for foods, beverages and supplements. These branded, all-natural and patented ingredients can provide opportunities for retail product innovation and differentiation.
Over the past quarter century, Chief Executive Officer Shil Kothari has developed and commercialized innovative functional ingredients for foods, beverages and supplements. Since 2005, Kothari has also served as president of Gateway Health Alliance, Inc., a provider of natural ingredients for weight management, cardiovascular health, metabolic wellness and blood sugar balance. He co-founded both companies with long-time business partner Gary Troxel. Previously, Kothari was vice president of product development at InterHealth Nutraceuticals, Inc. He began his career in the natural products industry at Herbalife. Kothari has a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles.
NIE: What is Q-actin and what benefits does it offer?
Kothari: Q-actin is a natural, patented ingredient that supports healthy joints and active lifestyles. It is an iminosugar extracted from a select variety of cucumber that researchers report is an effective modulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, a cytokine that plays an important role in inflammation. A randomized clinical study found that Q-actin improved joint function and reduced discomfort significantly better than glucosamine-chondroitin.
It is noteworthy that Q-actin achieved these clinical results with a daily serving of only 20 milligrams versus 2,700 milligrams of glucosamine-chondroitin. We believe the research supports numerous formulation opportunities for combination and mono ingredient consumer products.
NIE: A study was recently published in the journal ACS Omega showing that Q-actin supports joint health and function. What do studies like this mean for the company?
Kothari: It was an important study because it provided additional insight and confirmation of how Q-actin works in the body to support joint health. Blood samples taken from healthy human volunteers following intense resistance exercise showed the Q-actin helped modulate inflammation through a variety of signaling pathways, including a reduction in TNF-alpha.
This study, we believe, helps further explain the dramatic improvements in joint health reported in an earlier randomized, placebo-controlled study comparing Q-actin and glucosamine-chondroitin. During the six-month study, participants aged 40 to 75 with moderate knee joint issues were evaluated at regular intervals using widely accepted medical evaluation tools, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index.
The Q-actin group showed significant improvements in function and discomfort over glucosamine-chondroitin at every evaluation period, regardless of the measurement tool. Over six months, for example, Q-actin reduced WOMAC scores 70 percent—twice as much improvement as the glucosamine-chondroitin group.
NIE: How has IminoTech had to adjust during the COVID-19 pandemic? What trends do you think the dietary supplement industry will see as a result?
Kothari: Like most companies, we learned to adapt our sales and operations to function remotely. Going forward we believe we will see more marketing efforts to link product benefits, even specific benefits such as joint health, to overall health and wellness. Consumers have greater awareness of the importance of overall health to individual resiliency to whatever health challenges they may face. Immunity is an obvious category but everything from cognitive health to weight management may be viewed through a lens with greater emphasis on maintaining health and vitality.
NIE: The company seems to be committed to sustainability and quality. What steps does IminoTech take to not only meet compliance?
Kothari: We believe that successful branded ingredients must meet the highest standards in several areas: research, manufacturing and quality. Our research has identified select cucumbers the highest levels of ido-BR1—many cucumbers contain none—that is the active ingredient in Q-actin. All manufacturing is cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) compliant and we certify product specifications through TRU-ID and state of the art technologies.
NIE: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Kothari: Nearly 20 years ago we led the team at InterHealth Nutraceuticals that introduced type 2 collagen to the marketplace. It became a huge success and greatly expanded the joint health category. We have the same sense of excitement about Q-actin and iminosugars. It’s an emerging new ingredient category with tremendous potential for delivering a wide range of real health benefits.
