Dr. Ashok Patel earned a Ph.D. in bio-chemistry, specializing in the study of how the human body interacts on a chemical level. He was continually drawn to study how natural oils and extracts can be more beneficial than chemical compounds in affecting overall health.
Dr. Patel did his under-graduate studies at the University of Birmingham in England and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Biochemistry and earned his Ph.D. in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Wales in Cardiff, Wales. All this between 1976 and 1982. After moving to Minnesota he realized he needed a better understanding of the business world so attended the College of St. Thomas, of St. Paul MN. In 1987 & 1988 and graduated with an MBA degree in 1988.
“I love coming up with new ideas, developing them, and watching them grow into products to be put on the market. It has made my work feel like a hobby.”
Dr. Patel’s love of biochemistry has already greatly aided Lifproducts and PetzLife Products market new innovative products not only for the pet industry but now for humans as well with the introduction of
F'st D'fenz.
Dr. Patel’s quest for pure ingredients compelled him to purchase for his "state of the art" laboratory & Manufacturing company (Centre Manufacturing) a highly-specialized machine from Germany that will allow him to extract oils from seeds at optimum therapeutic value. His research with Neem Oil, Rosemary Oil, Grape seed Oil, Thyme Oil, Grapefruit seed extract and Peppermint Oil are extensive and date back for over 20 years.
Dr. Patel is currently researching the oil from carrot seeds. It’s a powerful anti-oxidant and has properties that aid in the regeneration of skin tissue, and has been reported to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The oil also contains a high amount of beta carotene which has been known to aid in the tanning process. This is not new to the industry but what is new, is how the beta carotene is extracted and blended to optimize it's level of effectiveness. Dr. Patel is also researching oils extracted from strawberry seeds and is excited about the many benefits of cranberry seed oil.
Not an Easy Road
The story of Ashok’s success is an interesting journey. It begins in the East African country of Uganda, where his parents moved from their native India. His parents moved to the former British colony for economic reasons, and Ashok’s father found success in the timber and coffee processing industries. “The country became independent in 1962, and there were several revolutions after that. When General Edi Amin came into power in 1970, the first thing he did was nationalize all of the country’s industries, then he kicked out all of the British and people of Indian decent who lived there.” Ashok’s family lost everything they owned and moved to London, England as refugees, Ashok was a young boy of 10 at the time. “Our first 10 years in England were a struggle,” Ashok said. “We were living in a new country with absolutely nothing; we were at the mercy of everyone there. Things were especially difficult because my parents were in their 60s, and they had seven children to raise.” Ashok and his siblings found a way to overcome their situation by taking turns working to pay the rent and going to school to secure their futures.
The reason we are so excited to have Dr. Patel on the team is very obvious, he is exciting to work with, is extremely intelligent when it comes to new product development, and has an understanding for business.
Dr. Patel is a devoted family man. His wife Smuti is very helpful as a sounding board for formulations and their effectiveness. She is a practicing Pharmacist and together they have two wonderful daughters, one who is named Preeya, which means “Love” in the common language of India. She is currently a student of Pre-Veterinarian Med. at the University of Minnesota. Their other daughter Manisha completed a 4 year degree in 2 years and is currently pursuing her masters in Divinity. It was with Manisha's help that the product line "Preeya" was named and started. We will be introducing the complete personal care line shortly starting with the most fragrant therapeutic soy wax candles available today. This family has a combined IQ that is off the charts!!
Dr. Patel in his free time enjoys reading, travel and cricket. Cricket!!!?
Just a few of Dr. Patel’s accomplishments:
Current:
Owner of Centre Manufacturing LLC Rockford MN.
Past accomplishments:
Cofounder and Principal
London Diagnostics, Inc. Eden Prairie, MN
As a co-founder and Principal of a start-up immune-diagnostics company, I was involved in a variety of positions including Director, Immunochemical research. Director, Sales & Marketing and culminating with V.P., Business Development. During this period we raised approx $5 million in private placements, $1.2 in loans and $2.5 million in R & D contracts including about $500,000 in SBIR grants and contracts As V.P., Business Development, I was in charge of identifying and initiating negotiations with potential US and foreign partners, OEM. suppliers and joint venture partners for the Company. Major accomplishments were to find and initiate negotiations with the Company’s Japanese partner and the majority of the other potential joint venture partners that the Company interacted with.
In Sales & Marketing, I established the initial sales/marketing of 5 people. Responsible for sales of TSH kit in an extremely competitive market ruled by major diagnostic companies. Generated sales of $300k per year with a single test kit using a totally new detection technology from a small start-up company with no track record in the medical diagnostics field. Due to a very limited budget, product promotion was carried out by using influential customers and opinion leaders and their joint publications in prestigious scientific journals.
As Director, Immunochemical Research, I was in charge of R & D of the Company’s first product – a Chemiluminescent Immunoassay Kit for TSH, currently the most sensitive TSH assay commercially available. Also in charge of R & D of three other assays, Prolactin, Progesterone and Estradiol. Built up and directed a R & D group of 8 including 2 Ph.D. group leaders, 1 M.S. and 2 B.S. level research scientists and 3 student interns.
Assistant Biochemist
Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Collaborated with Dr. M. J. Cormier at the Bioluminescence Laboratory on the use of calcium-activated bioluminescent proteins from coelenterates such as the jellyfish Aequoria and the sea-pansy Renilla, as labels in DNA probes and immunoassays. This research led to a patent application on the use of these proteins as labels in homogeneous and heterogeneous immunoassay. Initiated industry contacts and obtained R & D funding of $520,000 for this research project from Roche Diagnostics Inc.
Research Associate
Dept. of Med. Biochemistry, Welsh National School of Medicine, Cardiff, Wales.
Ph.D. Thesis – The development of homogenous chemiluminescent immunoassay – World-renowned research on novel chemiluminescent energy transfer concepts and their application to the development of highly sensitive homogenous immunoassay and ligang-ligand interactions. Developed assays for haptens and large molecular weight protein antigens using a variety of chemiluminescent compounds, in particular, luminol derivatives and acridinium esters. Also researched the use of these techniques as an analytical tool for measuring chemical concentrations in intact cells.
Wow!! That’s easy for you to say. |
