What Inspires Us to Innovate, with Mario Roxas, Director of Research and Development
What inspires us? It’s a question we ask all the time at Thorne, and it’s as much a brainstorming tactic as it is a mantra for innovation.
For me, making healthy habits easier for people to achieve and incorporate into their daily lives is something that inspires me to innovate.
I’m Dr. Mario Roxas, Director of Research and Development at Thorne. I have a front-row seat to the innovation process, working closely with Dr. Stephen Phipps, our Chief Innovation Officer, in reviewing and experimenting with various aspects of product development — from seeking out specialized botanical extract preparations, to reviewing different delivery systems, to looking for more environmentally-friendly packaging options.
The most exciting part of research and development is the freedom to be creative and to explore and work with various ingredients to solve a particular health challenge.
I am particularly proud of the innovations we have achieved through developing products such as Daily Greens Plus, Collagen Fit, and Collagen Plus. We listened to our customers and clients who asked for these products and responded by creating truly distinct and efficacious formulas that raise the standard and quality in their respective product classes.
A lot of thought and consideration goes into our process as we take the interests of the intended audience for a product and blend that with the science available, all while working to maintain Thorne’s quality standard and philosophy of personalized, scientific wellness throughout the process. The end results are exceptional products that have an imprint on them that is undeniably Thorne.
Typically, multiple products — often more than 10 — are in process at any given time. Depending on the project, the innovation process for each one can take anywhere from several weeks to several years to develop. We constantly ask questions: Are we creating a brand-new formula or reformulating an existing one? Is the supplement focused on a single ingredient or is it a complex multi? What new ingredients do we need to source? What is the best delivery system for this formula — powder, capsule, dissolvable disc, or some other format?
The average week is a blur of collaboration across several departments. We engage with our Quality, Production, Procurement, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, and Engineering teams, as well as Marketing and Sales, on all projects, whether we’re working on a new formula or making a reformulation.
In addition, we deal with the “fires” that arise daily and require our immediate attention. This can involve any given issue in any department on any given day — such as helping our Wellness team address a client query, or Medical with an adverse event, or assisting Business Development with a question from a partner about a product they’re interested in.
Innovation and transformation
The most satisfying part about working at Thorne is when I hear time and time again about individuals whose lives have been positively transformed by a product we make. It reminds me how much of an impact we really do have.
It’s also a nice touch when people find out I work for Thorne, and they say, “Hey, I know Thorne! I love your products! In fact, I have such-and-such on my kitchen counter. I take it every day!”
I first learned about Thorne in naturopathic medical school, where doctors would recommend various Thorne supplements to patients in the teaching clinic. Back then, Thorne had already established a reputation for having the purest supplements, free of unnecessary fillers or additives. And in the clinic, we witnessed firsthand the benefits of these formulas in improving the health and well-being of the patients.
I received my Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. I then went on to complete my residency in Family Medicine. After residency, I went into private practice for 10 years, with an emphasis on botanical medicine and clinical nutrition. While in practice, I also served as an independent consultant to various companies in the nutritional supplement industry.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife, my son, and our dog. They are what recharge me at the end of the day. We enjoy going out and eating good food and let me tell you, living in Charleston, South Carolina, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge.
My favorite Thorne supplement is Daily Greens Plus, which I formulated. I take it every morning as part of my daily routine, usually just with water or mixed with Collagen Fit for added protein. Sometimes I blend Daily Greens Plus in a smoothie with berries and a banana. I find that it supports energy production to jumpstart my day.* Mentally, I feel more focused and present.* Physically, I feel I have more stamina.* I also make sure I take Daily Greens Plus with me whenever I go on trips — my family enjoys traveling all over the world — because it helps me cope with the stress and energy-drain often associated with travel.*
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This article is part of an ongoing series from Thorne HealthTech’s Medium blog, where we showcase the individuals behind Thorne’s approach to developing and delivering health and wellness solutions.
