Natural Products (NP) represent the diversity of nature that is unsurpassed by synthetic material.

NP chemical structures have been optimized through the processes of evolution, frequently resulting in entities with unique and highly specific bioactive properties. NPs thus complement synthetic sources.   In addition, while about 220,000 NP compounds are presently known to science, the vast majority of biological sources have not even been thoroughly investigated yet. Nature is therefore a vast potential reservoir in the search for bioactive LEAD compounds. 

Currently only about one third of the world pharmaceutical drug market is generated from naturally derived compounds, and about 48% of the top 100 selling drugs (in 2003) are sourced from nature (1). Of the new, small-molecule chemical entities introduced between 1981 and 2002 (excluding Biologicals), 79% of anti-bacterials and 69% of anti-cancer entities can be traced back to or were inspired by Natural Products (2). NPs are not limited to these entities but have found their way to the market in numerous other disorders, e.g. diabetes, immuno-suppression, and lipid metabolism.

NPs as food additives have a long history and established market. However, as with pharmaceuticals, the reservoir of unexploited NP entities offers vast potential as a source for viable food additives.  In March 2008, InterMed Discovery signed a collaboration agreement giving Cognis, the global specialty chemicals supplier, exclusive access to selected potential active ingredients for specific applications in functional foods.
 
(1) F. Petersen, CHI symposium on “Diversity-Oriented Synthesis and Natural Product Chemistry”, Boston, 10/2003
(2) Newman, Cragg & Snader; J. Nat. Prod., 66,1022 (2003)