The Conceptual Stage of Product Development
When we develop a new product, many teams at Gaia Herbs and Professional Solutions are engaged in the process. First, the proper developmental formulation uses scientific literature (including clinical studies worldwide, in-vivo and in-vitro bioassays, and ethnobotanical literature) as primary sources for herbal efficacy data. Once the formula has been evaluated for compound integrity using eclectic, physio-medical, and naturopathic insight, it is then given to the Product Development lab to produce “benchtop” models of the formulation. In this stage of product development we are evaluating ingredient compatibilities, separation, viscosity, as well as appearance and taste.

Pilot Development - An Interim Stage
At no time are botanicals with known toxicological properties in the dosages required brought into a Gaia Herbs or Professional Solutions formulation. Once the formula has been approved by the lab, we then prepare a pilot-scale batch to determine scale-up characteristics within the production line. At this point our Botanicals Division Manager is actively engaged in sourcing the certified organic and ecologically wildcrafted herbs that will be used as extracts in the formula. We also may have pilot clinical trials conducted by some of our naturopathic practitioner affiliates to evaluate product efficacy. The formulation may have some minor modifications through this due diligence effort before full batch production begins.

Scale Up to Finished Product
Once the product is ready for full batch production our label and regulatory divisions have already created FDA and FTC compliant labels and have notified the FDA of our intent to bring the product to market. After production is completed, after finished labels are evaluated for accuracy, and after the QC laboratory has generated a Certificate of Analysis (COA), then the product is ready for final packaging and commercial distribution.