CRN will hold its third Innovation Exchange event Oct. 6 at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa, as part of its 2026 signature events, featuring presentations on steering committee selected topics. Innovation Exchange is complimentary for attendees of CRN's signature events.
Review details below and submit your propsal here by April 23, 2026.
- Present your innovation to dietary supplement and functional food industry leaders
- Includes tabletop booth at event
- Presenters will also receive mentions in promotional content leading up to the event and in follow-up, such as email blasts, social media posts, and CRN’s member newsletter
FAQ for prospective presenters...
Contact Ed Wyszumiala with questions (ewyszumiala@crnusa.org).
See press release on call for proposals.
BACKGROUND:
Created to spotlight innovative research, technologies, and ingredients within the interactive setting of CRN’s annual industry gathering, Innovation Exchange convenes supplement industry leaders among finished product manufacturers with ingredient suppliers, service providers and other stakeholders.
Innovation Exchange is presented as a complimentary program the afternoon of Oct. 6 for attendees of SciComms Connect taking place that morning, and attendees of the main CONVERGENCE on Oct. 7–8. The Innovation Exchange program will include seven 20-minute presentations selected by a steering committee of experts.
More info for prospective presenters...
OUR INAUGURAL 2024 EVENT:
REVIEW OUR 2025 LINEUP:
HEAR FROM VISHAL AND DR. SHEFALI ABOUT THEIR CONVERGENCE AND INNOVATION EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES
OTHER 2025 PRESENTERS
QUESTIONS? Please contact Ed Wyszumiala (ewyszumiala@crnusa.org) or Gretchen Powers (gpowers@crnusa.org).
FROM THE CRN SUPPLEMENT NEWSLETTER, OCTOBER 9, 2025
Innovation Exchange 2025: Where Science Meets Market Momentum
At CRN’s Innovation Exchange held in St. Louis this week, science and strategy converged. From biotech-driven evidence platforms to next-generation botanicals, the afternoon spotlighted how today’s ingredient innovators are turning research into real-world wellness impact.
Why it matters: The session captured the pulse of a rapidly evolving supplements industry—where efficacy, technology, and consumer trust are reshaping what “innovation” means.
Tiny doses, mighty results: A presentation from Nutriventia, with co-founder Vishal Shah and Dr. Shefali Thanawala, looked at how their ingredients TurmXTRA™ and Prolanza™ deliver measurable health gains in small doses. TurmXTRA™ is a patented, water-dispersible turmeric extract that has been studied for joint and muscle health, and a single daily dose has shown significant improvements in joint comfort and function. Prolanza™ is a new-age ashwagandha that provides all-day stress management.
Smarter evidence for a faster future: Radicle Science co-founders Jeff Chen and Pelin Thorogood showcased how their "Proof-as-a-Service" model uses technology and crowdsourcing to reinvent clinical evidence generation for natural products. This approach aims to make clinical trials faster, more inclusive, and more affordable than traditional trials designed for pharmaceuticals. The company's platform is built to deliver real-world evidence and precision insights.
Gut intelligence, redefined: Verb Biotics’ Diane Alexander and Noah Zimmerman presented new clinical findings confirming LP815’s dual mechanism—direct GABA production and stimulation of the body’s own microbiota to boost endogenous GABA—advancing the science of mood, stress, and gut-brain communication.
Sleep, stress, and mood—from the gut up: ADM’s Aouatef Bellamine discussed Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, a postbiotic that supports sleep, mood, and stress response by modulating the gut microbiome. This postbiotic is supported by clinical advances in gut-brain axis interventions.
Botanical innovation for metabolic health: SuanNutra’s Karin Hermoni spotlighted Metabolaid®, a botanical blend that targets metabolic health. Research on the ingredient suggests it may help support blood pressure, satiety hormones, AMPK, and the gut microbiome.
Brain health gets a boost: Eric Ciappio and Tom Druke from Balchem explored how choline, an essential nutrient, is driving innovation for cognitive health. They discussed how their VitaCholine® platform supports mental performance. In addition they shared about Balchem’s patented delivery advancements that enhance tableting in multivitamin formulations and provide turnkey options for high-dose capsule applications—helping brands bring smarter, evidence-backed brain health solutions to market.
The takeaway: Across every presentation, one message came through loud and clear: innovation in the supplement world is no longer just about what’s new, but about what works.
What’s next: As AI, clinical transparency, and smarter delivery systems converge, the future of nutraceuticals will hinge on measurable results, credible science, and consumer trust—exactly the themes that defined this year’s Innovation Exchange.
QUESTIONS? Please contact Ed Wyszumiala (ewyszumiala@crnusa.org) or Gretchen Powers (gpowers@crnusa.org).