05.01.04
Carrington Laboratories: Improving Lives With Aloe
Carrington Laboratories, Inc., Irving, TX, is a vertically integrated, publicly-held, research-based biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing natural products from the Aloe vera L. plant. The company was founded in 1973 as Ava Cosmetics, Inc., a skin care business that utilized aloe preparations as the core product ingredient. Just over 10 years later, the company sold the cosmetic business, changed its name to Carrington Laboratories, Inc., and focused on the development of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
After the transition, the company made significant investments in the development of therapeutics using natural products and compounds obtained from Aloe vera L. This research led to the discovery of several novel complex carbohydrates. Subsequent research determined that a whole class of compounds had been discovered, specifically Beta-(1,4)-linked acetylated mannans. As a result, in 1987, the U.S. Adopted Name Council gave one product the drug name “acemannan.”
Since that initial discovery, topical, oral and injectible forms of various carbohydrates have been developed. In addition, patents were, are and will continue to be filed by the company. Today, Carrington has over 130 issued, allowed or pending patent applications in 26 countries on natural components from Aloe vera L. These patents cover compositions of matter, process and use of various carboydrates.
To date, the company has spent over $80 million on research, which has resulted in several prescription products for mucositis, diabetic ulcers, etc., in addition to an injectable biologic (drug) for cancer in animals. For now, however, most of the company’s research is focused on a drug delivery platform using a newly discovered natural carbohydrate, according to Walt Jones, vice president of business development. “We have reached several milestones on this path,” he said. Furthermore, its drug delivery subsidiary, DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc., was recently awarded a grant in the amount of $800,000 for the development of a platform delivery system for proteins and peptides.
Carrington Laboratories, Inc. has also developed a method for preparing commercial grade, freeze-dried powder from the inner gel of the Aloe vera L. plant. This, and other technology developed and patented by Carrington, makes possible a host of additional products from Aloe vera L. From these developments, the company has produced a line of nutraceutical products containing its patented Manapol® ingredient, which provides batch-to-batch consistency of acetylated mannans. According to Mr. Jones, Manapol is of benefit as a glyconutrient. “The benefit of a Manapol-based supplement is that it will be more readily absorbed into the bloodstream and into the body system itself because it is a glyconutrient,” he explained. “Furthermore, our Manapol product can be reproduced on a consistent basis. Our ‘product by process’ assures product consistency even though you are beginning with a natural product. We preserve the natural components in fresh aloe gel and no matter what other companies say, they cannot delivery this consistency nor the concentration of complex carbohydrates in their finished product.”
According to Pamela Schonbeck, director of sales and marketing, Manapol is also the only product from Aloe vera on the market that has been shown to be both an immune enhancer and an immune modulator. Currently, she said, Manapol is being used as the base in its newest product, Manapol® Plus MaitakeGold 404®, which is a mushroom drink positioned as a super immune enhancing formula.
She also discussed Carrington’s oral care line, which contains another branded ingredient, Acemannan Hydrogel™. “Our oral care line is unique in that most products on the market, which are geared toward canker sores and other similar irritations, contain lidocaine for pain relief, which only numbs the area,” she said. “However, our product provides natural pain relief, in addition to promoting a natural wound healing process.”
Commenting on the state of the industry, Mr. Jones said, the industry is really starting to turn a corner. “I always tell people that this industry is always the first to go into a recession and the first one to come out of it,” he said, adding, “I think we have all become a lot smarter and science-based, and as a result, consumer confidence is definitely on its way back. Furthermore, manufactures are really starting to express an interest in new products and raw materials again, so that is a good sign.”—R.M.W.
Carrington Laboratories
2001 Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75038
Telephone: 972-518-1300
Fax: 972-550-7556
E-mail: info@carringtonlabs.com
Website: www.carringtonlabs.com