In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Alex Capano the Chief scientific officer of EcoFibre. Ecofibre is a leader in hemp-based products with over 20 years of growing and breeding experience. They own one of the largest collections of genetically diverse hemp plants with over 300 landraces of cannabis from over 25 countries. Industrial hemp refers to the non-psychoactive, meaning less than 1% THC, varieties of Cannabis Sativa. Over the years, hemp has been unjustly demonized due to its association with marijuana, but this good seed is shedding a bad name. As promising research and mass interest grow in what many are calling a “miracle plant,” hemp is making a comeback of global proportion. Ecofibre has several businesses it operates including a hemp-based textile company and over-the-counter health and wellness products sold at local pharmacies. This pharmacy brand is called Ananda Health and it’s the leading pharmacy brand in the United States for hemp-derived CBD products. In fact, Ecofibre was the first hemp company to receive Investigational New Drug or IND authorization from the FDA for a clinical trial on hemp-derived CBD to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. At Ecofibre, Dr. Alex Capano champions the company’s $40 million commitment to research to advance the clinical evidence of hemp extract. As the Chief Science Officer for Ananda Hemp, she acts as a principal investigator on clinical research and trials, focusing on hemp-based CBD therapy. Dr. Alex is the first person to earn a Ph.D. in cannabinoid science. She is currently researching CBD’s effects on CIPN, sleep, anxiety, addiction, endometriosis, certain cancers, and cognitive decline. She has a particular interest in women’s health and has truly spearheaded research in CBDs effectiveness for all things gynecology including intimate oils, flora balancing gels, and period pain. Check out these products at www.anandaprofessional.com.
FemTech Focus is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded to empower, equip, and bring together healthcare professionals, life-science entrepreneurs, and forward thinking investors to revolutionize women’s health and wellness. FemTech Focus elevates the FemTech industry through increased awareness, providing resources to FemTech founders, & creating opportunities to support FemTech startups through exposure, networking, and access to capital.The FemTech Focus Podcast with Dr. Brittany Barreto is a meaningfully provocative conversational series that brings femtech experts – including doctors, scientists, inventors, and founders – on air to talk about the innovative technology, services, and products (collectively known as femtech) that are improving women’s health and wellness. The podcast gives our host, Dr. Brittany Barreto, and guests an engaging, friendly environment to learn about the past, present, and future of women’s health and wellness.Dr. Brittany Barreto is a scientist, serial entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. While finishing her PhD in Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, Brittany founded Pheramor, the first nationwide DNA-based dating app. She then embarked into venture capital as the Senior Venture Associate at Capital Factory and was tasked with launching the fund’s Houston branch. Brittany now has her sights on advancing women’s health. She is host of the FemTech Focus podcast which has 150+ episodes and 30 thousand downloads in 105 countries. Brittany is the co-founding partner of Coyote Ventures, a US-based venture fund investing in early-stage women’s health startups.