Cyvex: Nutraceuticals From Sea And Vine
From sources as diverse as shark cartilage off the California coast to a vineyard in southern France, Cyvex Nutrition, Irvine, CA, has developed a globally sourced, quality-focused nutraceuticals business that continues to grow.
The company, which was founded by current President Gilbert Gluck, started out in Canada in 1984 as a developer and distributor of unique nutraceutical products. In 1989, Cyvex moved its headquarters from Toronto to Newport Beach, CA and established a consulting business to the health food industry. Then in 1994, the company got started in the bulk ingredients business. “Our first product was shark cartilage,” said Mr. Gluck, “and our main concern was—and continues to be—quality. We started selling products with high purity levels backed up by solid technical data,” he said, adding that customers then began asking for other marine-based nutraceuticals. Cyvex began sourcing green lipped mussels from New Zealand, as well as sea cucumber, oyster powder and fish protein. “We now offer a full spectrum of marine nutraceuticals,” he said.
As customer demand increased, the company branched out into other markets, beginning production of grape seed extract in Southern France in 1996. The full spectrum product is now widely used as “BioVin,” Cyvex’s flagship product. “This is the only grape extract to have been clinically researched and published in a peer-reviewed journal,” said Mr. Gluck. Today Cyvex has developed strong relationships around the world and manufactures products in North America, Europe, China and New Zealand.
Mr. Gluck’s background as a food scientist and his experience as technical director for several multinational companies explains the company’s focus on quality and research. “We are very committed to marketing products of the very highest quality,” he said. “We recently received ISO 9002 certification and we have established the ‘NutriPrint’ Total Quality System.” The NutriPrint method ensures 100% identity testing with minimal sample preparation; it can be used on liquids, bulk powders, powders in capsules, tablets and soft gels or capsules in final packaging.
Mr. Gluck continued, “We start then with ingredients of outstanding quality and we are always working on unique nutraceutical ingredients, ones that have the potential to be patented. These are long term projects,” he commented.
Other areas of interest at the company are nootropics such as ginkgo biloba, vinpocetine and Huperzine, as well as pet nutraceuticals. Cyvex has developed a new functional “treat” for dogs, for which a patent is pending. The treat is designed as a chip, said Mr. Gluck. “Animals get bored with the same treats again and again. This offers a novel delivery system that can contain any type of nutraceuticals and dogs love it. It’s very palatable and much better than a tablet,” he said. The product is expected to debut this fall under the “Dogg-Eatos” name.
Cyvex is also in the process of constructing a new headquarters to accommodate all of its activities under one roof. The new headquarters is expected to be ready early in 2000.
Cyvex Nutrition
2691 Richter Ave., #126
Irvine, CA 92606
Telephone: 949-622-9030
Fax: 949-622-9033
E-mail: gilbert@cyvex.com
Website: www.cyvex.com
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