The Process

Discover...Develop...Deliver 

This section was written for the researcher, physician, and clinician conducting due diligence on our product development, safety, and efficacy. Thank you for taking time to learn about the assets that position our organization at the leading edge of innovation and scientific integrity in the natural products industry.

Unigen's discovery process involves two technologies, called PhytoLogix™ and GenoActive™.

For every botanical specimen submitted, plant candidates are first evaluated at our Plant Diversity Research Center. Here, ethnobotanical research is performed to compile phylogenetic classification data, functional and medicinal-use histories, and publications citing safety and toxicity reports, herb-drug interactions, and clinical applications. This information is then compiled in a comprehensive database, called the Phytologix™ library.

During the Phytologix™ phase, processing involves a complex system for purifying, evaluating, and cataloging each plant specimen. The Phytologix™system provides screening and analytical operations, including bioprospecting, bioinformatics, high-throughput purification and structure dereplication processes for each specimen.

Unigen’s Phytologix™ library database may be the largest on the planet, presently including over 250,000 functional plant fractions. The Phytologix™ database contains an extensive and comprehensive collection of functional and medicinal plants. For each specimen, the database contains information on several facets, including history of practical usage (traditional and modern), safety and toxicity profiles, chemical composition, protein structure using proton NMR mapping, and a compilation of up-to-date research and publications associated with the plant. The Phytologix™ library is vast, presently including over 14,000 plants, 10,000 extracts, and 300,000 fractions. With plant specimens collected on an ongoing basis from eight geological regions around the globe, the Phytologix™ library is scheduled to expand by approximately 1,000 plants each year. In 2008, Unigen began a marine natural products collection of nearly 200 species from both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The growth of the Phytologix™ library and the continual discovery of new botanicals proven to impact cell repair and human health indicate tremendous future potential. Once this initial process is complete, extractions are made from each plant specimen. These water and oil-based extractions are then fractionated to identify the specific chemical make-up of each. This "fingerprinting" process involves high-powered liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV spectrum, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-powered thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), liquid chromatography mass spec (LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging. Once complete, the chemical profile of each botanical is catalogued in the library.

Much can be detected from this preliminary research. The data gathered is then turned over to a discovery group dedicated to proving the viability of the botanical compounds. The discovery group designs assays to test all fractions of a plant for bioactivity. Once an active compound is detected and isolated, additional assays are created for further testing.

The Integrated Discovery Solution process is your guarantee of extensive safety and testing that goes into every product.

GenoActive™, the second part of the discovery platform, consists of a series of technologies to determine the biological activities of botanical compounds.

When a research question or hypothesis is established, the Discovery and Screening team sets off in search of a botanical that can demonstrate the biochemical relationship sought. The Discovery and Screening team uses a variety of biochemical and cell-based assays, including reporter gene assays, to screen the Phytologix™ library for botanical compounds with potentially beneficial effects.

After screening the plant library and its fractionated extracts, compounds identified with specific bioactivity enter an extensive process of in-vitro studies. 

Successful active compounds are then selected for study in in-vivo models developed to demonstrate efficacy and safety. Compounds that succeed in these processes are then entered into clinical testing. Once clinically-significant data are collected and analysed.  The raw ingredients and formulas are deemed suitable for use by the Univera Product Development team.

In the context of the natural products industry, the ECONET process is a unique and comprehensive approach to the discovery of new ingredients. However, in the context of pharmaceutical research and discovery, the ECONET process, in many ways, exceeds the protocols of standard process in the development of safe, high quality nutritional supplements. As a result, ECONET has over 160 patents and patents pending, worldwide.