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As more people look for natural health treatments, they look at the true journey of the products they plan to apply to their skin. Right from how sustainable the company is to where the ingredients are sourced from, the tests conducted, to whether they have used any synthetic ingredients, everything is under scrutiny, especially in the post-COVID era.

In such a situation, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company is entering a quiet revolution in prescription botanical medicine, one that combines the best of nature with the rigor of pharmaceutical science. Devonian Health Group Inc. has been on a mission to create novel therapeutic approaches to targeting unmet medical needs since 2015.

André P. Boulet, founder and CEO of Devonian, explains how their unique approach is redefining what it means for a plant-based product to be truly pharmaceutical. “At Devonian, we are not just a natural product company,” Boulet says. “We go beyond that. We extract the active components directly from plants using methods that ensure quality and consistency. Our patented processes allow us to control everything from the seed to the final pill.”

Devonian’s meticulous process starts long before the product reaches a consumer’s hand. The company sources from trusted organic farms in the U.S. But its involvement runs deeper than sourcing.

“We know exactly where our plants are grown, the soil quality, the cultivar, and even the machines used to harvest them,” Boulet explains. “We receive detailed temperature logs throughout the growing and shipping process. Once the plants arrive, they enter quarantine and undergo extensive testing for pesticides, heavy metals, and contaminants, even though the farms themselves do not use pesticides. Sometimes the wind can carry them from elsewhere, so testing is essential.”

Only after passing these stringent checks do the plants proceed to extraction, where they are broken down into powders. Crucially, Devonian extracts active compounds from the fiber of the plant, parts that are not digestible through normal eating.

“So, if you ask, ‘Can I get the same benefits by eating a lot of spinach?’ the answer is maybe not,” says Boulet. “The key active components are bound in the fiber, which the human body generally is unable to digest. Our patented extraction process, SUPREX™, may help isolate these components and stabilize them, potentially preserving their natural origin and therapeutic quality.”

The pharmaceutical industry has traditionally focused on a ‘silver bullet’ approach: one drug targeting one specific disease mechanism. Boulet highlights a shift in scientific understanding toward therapies that modulate multiple targets simultaneously.

“We’re moving into an era where compounds don’t just shut down a biological response; they modulate it,” he explains. “For example, in cancer, certain enzymes act as watchdogs. Some treatments inadvertently disable these enzymes, which can increase cancer risk. Our approach aims to fine-tune the body’s responses, turning them off when needed without causing harm.”

This nuanced modulation may lead to a lower side effect profile, making botanical-based pharmaceuticals especially appealing for sensitive populations such as children.

Parents often hesitate to give their young children chemical-based medicines, particularly when it comes to chronic conditions like eczema, which may precede more serious allergic diseases in what is known as the “atopic march.” Devonian’s products potentially provide an alternative.

“Parents love the safety profile,” Boulet notes. “That is why we are focusing on infants. Pediatric use is a perfect entry point for our products because families are seeking effective yet gentle treatments early in life.”

Beyond science and innovation, Boulet reflects on the balance between the rigorous pharmaceutical development process, entrepreneurial risk-taking, and the deeply human mission behind their work.

“Sometimes people think drug development is all about numbers and laboratory work, and it certainly requires that rigor,” he says. “But it’s also about people dedicated to alleviating suffering and ultimately helping bring real solutions to patients.”

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.