AquaPhotonics, Inc. is a nanotechnology company that develops and licenses aqueous materials technology and products to improve the performance and characteristics of existing market-leading pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, medical care, and industrial products.
The company currently holds two U.S. patents: U.S. Patent Number 6,521,248 that was issued in February 2003 and U.S. Patent Number 7,198,254 that was issued in April 2007. Related to the first issued U.S. patent number 6,532,248, the four foreign countries also allowed and issued patent are Australia, India, Korea and New Zealand. The first patent is both a process and composition of matter patent. It involves a cavitation-based technology for molecularly redefining liquids and other materials.
The first applications of this technology are Penta® water and AquaRx™ water. Penta water is sold by Penta Water Company, Inc. (changed from Bio-Hydration Research Lab, Inc. “BHRL”). Penta was a top selling water item in health food stores for five consecutive years through 2005 and has sold approximately $150 million cumulative retail value since its inception. Currently, Penta is available in over 5000 health food and grocery stores nationwide. Penta Water Company, Inc. has an exclusive license for making Penta water with a 5% royalty to AquaPhotonics on sales of Penta water. This royalty agreement was terminated with one lump sum payment in June 2007. AquaRx is the non-beverage brand of Penta water which includes applications for lab use, industrial, cosmetic, Nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and agricultural processes.
AquaRx water is produced using a multi-step filtration process, which results in a purity of less than 0.5 ppm of total dissolved solids (TDS) or less depending on customers’ needs. The most important step in making AquaRx water takes place in a patented hydrodynamic chamber. AquaRx water also contains medicinal grade oxygen. One of the main distinguishing characteristics of this water is its modified metastable structure. AquaRx water’s unique physical properties have been verified using modified Raman spectroscopy, multi-frequency laser spectroscopy and electronic paramagnetic resonance testing. Raman Spectroscopy test results were published in the Physics of Vibration Vol.2, No. 2 pp. 61-65, 2003.
Tests conducted by Professor Andrew Dickson show that AquaRx has a different boiling point. At sea level, AquaRx’s boiling point is 0.043 °C higher than that of the reagent-grade water. This is statistically significant.
The Company has conducted several in vitro tests comparing lab double distilled water with AquaRx. These tests show:
- published on February 20, 2007 issue of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, a study done by Professor Jean Krutmann and his associates at Institut fur umweltmedizinsche Forschung, Dusseldorf, Germany titled as The Effect of Processed Water on Constitutive and Ultraviolet-A-Radiation-Induced Level of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Human Dermal Fibroblasts showing for the first time a beneficial effect of Penta/AquaRx water on human dermal fibroblasts that prevents Mitochondrial DNA mutagenesis indicating that Penta/AquaRx water may be able to extend cellular lifetime. It is further tempting to speculate that the use of Penta/AquaRx water in cosmeceutical products, may be of benefit in the prevention of premature skin ageing,
- significant increase in intracellular pH, which enables cells to live 266% longer;
- a reduction of 64% in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in a culture of human lymphocytes, potentially reducing the likelihood of cancer and other debilitating disease development;
- a 30% increase in the dissolution rates of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals, the primary composition of renal (kidney) stones; and
- differences in boiling point, viscosity, and surface tension.
The Company’s R&D department is constantly discovering new physical properties and applications for Penta/AquaRx. This department is under the direction of founder, William Holloway.
Recent testing using the Company’s proprietary patented “desktop” processing system has demonstrated the Company’s capability to nanosize various compounds. Specifically, researchers have combined AquaRx water and oil (100% pure virgin olive oil) in solution with resulting average particle sizes of approximately 150 nanometers. Other compounds have also been “nanosized”. Nanosizing has many applications. For example, in cosmetics, the ability to reduce the size of particles enables products to be more effectively absorbed through the skin. The process can create different product applications such as a sunscreen spray as opposed to creams or lotions.
Many additional patents including continuations in part (CIP) patent applications have been filed since 2003 by the inventors of Penta/AquaRx. These patents target certain medical, cosmetic, and industrial applications. Once these patents are granted, the Company will pay the inventors a 5% royalty on the gross sales of products derived from these patents.
The Company will focus on licensing its technology and products in five initial product categories: cosmetics and skin care; in vitro diagnostics (IVD) / cell culture media; ophthalmic, drug delivery (pharmaceutical); stem cell and tissue preservation; and Nutraceutical products.
The worldwide market sizes in 2006 for four of these initial target markets are as follows: Cosmetics, skin care, and toiletries - $160 billion; IVD/ cell culture media - $20 billion; ophthalmic - $9 billion; drug delivery in pharmaceutical - $50 billion; stem cells - $12 billion. Target marketing materials, web presence, branding and market approach strategies must be developed to advance in any of these markets. It is the goal of the current administration to advance this effort for delivery in the first quarter of 2008.
The nutraceutical category is a relatively new market for which the Company intends to develop a number of functional products that are specifically formulated for people with certain chronic illnesses or those receiving treatment for specific diseases. The Company’s research shows that AquaRx helps mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy while simultaneously normalizing liver enzyme levels. Additional research has shown some very positive benefits for diabetics who drink AquaRx water. These products will not require FDA approval because the Company does not intend to make any health claims regarding the cure or treatment of any disease. However, it will conduct sufficient clinical studies to enable it to make a structure/function claim regarding the benefits of consuming these products.
The Company is seeking $10 million new equity funding. The proceeds will be used during the next two years as follows: Clinical Studies (Wound Healing, Anti-Ageing, Antioxidant, Eye Solution, Cell Culture Media) - $5,500,000; Staffing - $1,500,000; Intellectual Property - $2,000,000; Capital expenditures - $1,000,000.
The Company was incorporated in California in December 2002. The Company’s corporate offices are located at 2091 Rutherford Rd. Carlsbad, CA 92008. Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to William R. Sickert the Company’s CEO, at williamsickert@AquaPhotonics.com or (760) 476 0508.
Bill Holloway is the co-inventor of the Penta/AquaRx process and is the Company’s Chairman of the Board. Mr. Holloway has led the growth of Penta Water Company, Inc. since its inception in Penta brand to become the number one selling single serve bottled water in health food stores nationwide. Prior to founding Penta Water Company, Inc. and AquaPhotonics, Inc., Mr. Holloway spent more than thirty years providing navigation systems products and services to the military. Mr. Holloway has founded a number of companies, including Advanced Composite Technologies, Inc. (ACT), Navtech Electronics, Inc., Navigation Systems, Inc., Gyro Systems, Inc. and Tidewater Electronics. Holloway attended Nuclear Weapons and Sonar Navy Technical schools as a contractor and is a graduate of Philco Tech Institute in Philadelphia, PA.
William R. Sickert joined AquaPhotonics, Inc. as CEO and one of the Board of Directors in October of 2007. Mr. Sickert is tri-credentialed in business, law and financial planning and has enjoyed a rich career in the Natural Products industry including executive positions with Barleans Organic Oils, Garden of Life and Frutaiga. Mr. Sickert brings a strong energy and competitive drive to API and considers start-up opportunities and branding to be his asset to the corporation.
G.R. Holloway is Chief Financial Officer and serves on the Company’s Board of Directors. Ms. Holloway oversees the company’s finance, accounting and administrative functions. Prior to founding AquaPhotonics, Inc., Ms. Holloway co-founded Penta Water Company, Inc., Advanced Composite Technologies and Navtech Electronics. Ms. Holloway began her career in the petroleum and ship repair industries, serving as the Chief Accounting Officer of Berry Industries, Inc. and Chief Financial Officer for Craddock Engineering, Inc., a worldwide petroleum engineering company, and Controller for Southwest Marine, Inc. Ms. Holloway received her college education both in Taiwan and U.S. She is Bill Holloway’s wife.
Michael Holloway is the co-inventor of the Penta/AquaRx process. Mr. Holloway is the Company’s Chief Technology Officer and is on the Board of Directors. He is also a co-founder and VP of Production for Penta Water Company, Inc.. Prior to Penta Water Company, Inc., Mr. Holloway worked as an oil industry consultant for laboratory and process analyzers, including Mass Spectrometers, Gas Chromatographs and low-level sulfur analyzers. He has also worked for Advanced Composite Technologies, Inc., where he designed molding systems for ceramic composite materials. Prior to his consulting career, Mr. Holloway spent more than ten years in the military electronics field, working with Fairchild Control Systems on equipment for the space shuttle, MX missile, RCS missile and British Aerospace satellite system. Michael Holloway is Bill Holloway’s son.
Board of Directors
The Company’s Board of Directors is made up of Bill Holloway, G. R. Holloway, Michael Holloway, Jeff Riemer, David Perez, and William Sickert.
David Perez is a local (San Diegan-based) entrepreneur and major investor in Penta Water Company and CEO of Surge Global Energy, an early stage oil and gas exploration and production company. Mr. Perez is also the Founder and Director of 2 Life 18 Help and Rescue, Inc. a nationally recognized 501(c) 3 non-profit public charity that assists the needy at times of natural disasters. Mr. Perez was honored by A&E Network as one of the top 10 people in the world in 2005 that have had the greatest impact on the lives from the previous year. Mr. Perez is also the Co-Founder of Chai Energy, LLC. A humanitarian company whose mission it to provide improved clean drinking water, alternative energy technologies to effect solutions throughout the world with emphasis on poor and third world countries. The company’s intellectual property and patent application are in areas related to alternative energy, nanotechnology, water processing, and homeland security container tracking. Mr. Perez attended Rutgers University.
Jeff Riemer is a significant Shareholder of the company and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. As a private investor, Mr. Riemer has invested in and actively served a number of companies in the technology and healthcare industries, including Penta Water Company, Inc., DataMed, Inc., Machrochem Corporation, Chromatics Color Sciences Inc., Cytoclonical Pharmaceuticals Inc., American Biogenetics Inc., and Medscape, Inc. Mr. Riemer is also President of J.S. Riemer, Inc., a site contractor and land development firm founded in 1969 and operating in the Chicago area and President of Shamrock Recycling and Materials, a company located in the Chicago area.
Jean Krutmann, M.D., Professor of Dermatology and Environmental Medicine and Director of Institute fur Umweltmedizinische Forschung (IUF), (Institute for Environmental Medical Research) at the Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf gGmbH, Germany. Professor Krutmann is a member of the “Scientific Committee on Consumer Products” of the European Commission, Brussel, member of the Committee “Non-ionizing Radiation” of the Commission for Radiation Protection of the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection, and Reactor Safety, Bonn, associate member of the European Ageing Research (LINK-Age), member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the German Skin Research Centre (DHFZ), Berlin and President of the "European Society for Photodermatology (ESPD)" (since 2004). In addition, he is also a Associate Editor of Photodermatology, Photimmunology, Photomedicine, Photochemical + Photobiological Sciences, Der Hautarzt (‘The Dermatologist’) and member of the Editorial Board of Environmental Medicine, Skin Pharmacology + Applied Skin Physiology.
Edward E. Jacobs, JR., M.D., Dr. Jacobs has been a biotechnology consultant since 1984. He specializes in discovery and new drug development. His expertise is especially related to improved methods of tissue oxygenation and the discovery of new, beneficial effects resulting from the physical modification of water. He is a co-founder and Director of the consulting group, BioScience Associates, LTD. Dr. Jacobs was a practicing surgeon and Assistant Clinical Professor at Harvard Medical School for 28 years before retiring in 2001. In 1984, he co-founded Biopure Corporation where he was responsible for the development of hemoglobin based oxygen carriers intended for use as blood substitutes for humans and animals. Dr. Jacobs retired as Senior Vice President – Medical Affairs in 2001. He currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Giovanni Armenese-Harvad Foundation. Dr. Jacobs, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Medical School, received surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Christa Muller-Sieburg, Dr. rer. nat. Dr. Muller-Sieburg is a professor at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in San Diego. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Cologne, Germany and postdoctoral training from Stanford University Medical School and Eli Lilly Research Laboratories in La Jolla. Dr. Muller-Sieburg directs research and has published extensively in the field of blood (hematopoietic) forming stem cells. How stem cells are affected by aging, and why these cells can transform into leukemic cancer stem cells are a focus of her research. Her work has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society of America and she has been a recipient of the Leukemia Society's Strohlman price. She has served on advisory panels for the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
Paul Burgert MD, Dr. Burgert is a retired Head and Neck Surgeon. Graduated from Princeton University, Northwestern Medical School, and Stanford University Medical Center Previously Assistant Professor of Surgery UCSF and in private practice for 30 years. Lives in Santa Rosa, CA. with his wife Robin. Currently, CEO of Bioscience Associates doing research in the physiologic effects of structured water.
Maria S. Gawryl, PhD has more than twenty years of pharmaceutical/ biopharmaceutical industry experience including fifteen years as a senior executive responsible for drug development, clinical research, regulatory affairs and quality. Dr. Gawryl joined EnVivo Pharmaceuticals in October 2007 as Program Executive to spearhead the development of EVP-6124, a potent nicotinic alpha 7-agonist. She applies her expertise to project management, clinical and pre-clinical research and regulatory strategy. Prior to Envivo, Maria consulted for several companies and held senior leadership positions at GTC Biotherapeutics where she worked on transgenically derived monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins, RenaMed Biologics, Biopure Corporation where she was Senior Vice President, Research and Development and Baxter. Prior to her industrial career, Dr. Gawryl was an assistant professor of immunology at Rush Medical College in Chicago and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in immunology at the University of Connecticut. She also performed basic research at Yale University and Harvard. Dr. Gawryl has been granted 16 patents, has authored many scientific and medical publications and has been an editor of several journals. She received her PhD in Immunology/Biomedical Sciences from the University of Connecticut Health Center.
© 2008 AquaPhotonics
