Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Sears.
Zone Labs was one of the first biotechnology companies in the Boston area. It was started in 1976 to develop intravenous drug delivery systems for cancer drugs. Over the years, the focus of company has changed to managing inflammation in a wide variety of chronic disease conditions by modulating hormonal responses generated by the diet, specifically the Zone Diet.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was a very rocky pathway because of the need for constant education to the medical community that the hormones generated by the diet can have a greater impact on the modulation of the underlying cause chronic disease (inflammation) as opposed to drugs that only treat the symptoms of chronic disease. Fortunately, we able to survive very nicely by a combination of research contracts and selling dietary products to support our ongoing clinical research.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Zone Labs story. Tell us more about the business.
Zone Labs is in the business of the resolution of inflammation. It is unresolved inflammation that is the underlying cause of chronic disease. It is easier in concept to treat one cause than to treat the symptoms of more than 500 diseases. Essentially, we are in the hormonal control business using food as if it were a drug to be taken at the right dose and at the right time.
What I am most proud is the resilience of the company to remain profitable until the medical world becomes more knowledgeable about the connection between low-level chronic inflammation below the perception of pain and the eventual development of chronic disease caused by such unresolved inflammation.
I believe what sets us apart is the development of a dietary technology that can be used immediately with significant clinical results within 30 days especially in the management of diabetes.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The pipeline for drug companies is exceptionally dry. There is a significant void for alternative dietary therapies that can demonstrate significant clinical benefits. I call this “Evidence-based Wellness”, and I see it has significant growth for this type of industry over the next 5-10 years.
Contact Info:
- Address: Zone Labs Inc., 200 Corporate Place, Peabody, MA 01960
- Website: www.zonediet.com
- Email: media contact: ksears@zoneliving.com
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