A collaborative team culture encourages cross-functional support beyond defined roles. Employees benefit from continuous learning opportunities, professional development, and hands-on training to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

AIDP was founded by Dr. Edward Lee in 1996 with a mission to provide safe, effective, and clinically researched ingredients for the nutraceutical, food, and beverage industries. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Lee has guided the company’s growth into a leading North American supplier recognized for innovation and advancing new product development across the industry.

Dr. Jennifer Gu, AIDP

AIDP President, Mark Thurston

AIDP CEO Dr. Jennifer Gu has been with the company since its inception and continues to uphold AIDP’s commitment to quality, science, and customer partnership. Together with President Mark Thurston, the entire AIDP team remains dedicated to driving innovation, supporting partners’ success, and leading the company into the next generation of growth and industry excellence.

Improving health, happiness and well-being

AIDP is dedicated to improving health, happiness and well-being through verified, safe, and science-backed ingredients. The portfolio of branded ingredients is carefully evaluated based on market attractiveness, intellectual property, clinical evidence, sustainable sourcing, safety, and rigorous quality standards. In addition to developing proprietary ingredients, AIDP represents premier global partners following a comprehensive vetting process.

AIDP’s mission is expressed in its name as follows:

Committed to excellence 

The AIDP leadership team is composed of industry experts with deep technical expertise and strong market relationships. AIDP identifies emerging trends early, delivers differentiated solutions, and collaborates closely with customers to develop products with strong commercial potential. 

“We are committed to sourcing high-quality ingredients and providing proprietary solutions that address market opportunities,” Thurston shares. “Our global footprint, trusted supplier network, and experienced sales team enable us to respond quickly to both specialty and commodity ingredient needs. Time and again, we help our customers and suppliers become market leaders.” 

AIDP empowers employees to succeed by giving them autonomy and accountability, paired with strong expectations for results. A collaborative team culture encourages cross-functional support beyond defined roles. Employees benefit from continuous learning opportunities, professional development, and hands-on training to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. AIDP also believes in maintaining an engaging and enjoyable work environment, and also likes to have fun.

Breaking the mold

AIDP operates with a differentiated model compared to traditional distributors. “We actively invest in clinical research, claim substantiation, and even manufacturing capabilities,” says Dr. Gu. “Our branded ingredient portfolio is organized by health conditions, with dedicated Business Managers overseeing each product from development through commercialization. These experts bring deep knowledge of market trends, positioning, messaging, and technical support—ensuring a fully integrated approach to product success. Our tagline ‘Your Trusted Partner’ is one of our core values and competencies. We work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure product success.”  

This unique model has empowered AIDP technology partners to grow and gain traction across North America. AIDP has forged strategic partnerships with Avalaan (VegD3®), Natural Remedies, Keraplast (Keragen‑IV®), Anagenix (Acatazin® and Livaux®), and Synapharm (ATAMg®). 

The success of this approach has drawn increasing interest from global and domestic brands looking to leverage AIDP’s commercial capabilities. 

Making an impact  

Committed to giving back to the industry and broader community, AIDP has supported Vitamin Angels for over 15 years and actively contribute to organizations including APHA, ABC, Global Prebiotics Association, Organic and Natural, and other nonprofit groups

“Our founder, Dr. Edward Lee, championed safety and transparency,” says Dr. Gu. “He recognized early on that some products could have unintended effects if used improperly. Approximately 20 years ago, when marketing an herbal ingredient, he advised customers to include usage guidance—such as incorporating a break after several weeks of use—to support responsible consumption. This practice has since been widely adopted across the industry.”

Carrying on a legacy

Sadly, AIDP’s founder passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. The company remains committed to delivering meaningful solutions that support health and well-being. “Our innovation pipeline includes products that require years of development, reflecting our long-term investment approach,” Dr. Gu says. “Looking ahead, we aim to continue expanding our branded ingredient portfolio, introduce new delivery formats, and stay at the forefront of supply chain evolution and innovation.”  

Celebrating commercial success  

AIDP has experienced steady organic growth over the past 30 years. “In our early years, the business was largely focused on commodity trading,” Thurston says. “As global markets evolved and competition increased, leadership recognized that long-term value in the supply chain would shift toward branded, research-backed ingredients. This realization led to a pivotal transformation in the mid-2000s, when AIDP began marketing  branded ingredients supported by clinical research and intellectual property.”

Establishing exclusive partnerships and proprietary positioning became fundamental to the continued growth and differentiation of AIDP.  

“Magtein® represents just one of AIDP’s greatest commercial successes,” says Dr. Gu. “Recognizing its potential nearly 15 years ago, significant investments in research, commercialization, patents, and claims development were made with our technology partner Neurocentria. In 2025, Magtein® was spun off into a separate company under Threotech, LLC, to accelerate global expansion and advance a more robust research agenda.”

Magtein was recently recognized at Vitafoods 2026 with two signature awards:  Vitafoods Innovation Award for Cognitive Health & NutraIngredients Award for Nutrition Research Project. AIDP Partner Natural Remedies was also rewarded for its new innovative ashwagandha Ashwa.30.

Words of wisdom from AIDP

The natural products industry saw increased consumer interest following COVID-19, as more individuals recognized the importance of overall health and prevention, AIDP notes. Moving forward, the industry has an opportunity to further emphasize preventative care and the body’s ability to support itself with the right nutrients. 

There is also a growing shift toward functional foods and beverages, which requires a different formulation, regulatory, and pricing approach compared to traditional supplements, AIDP says. As the category evolves, continued education will be critical—helping consumers understand both the value and investment behind high-quality, science-driven products. AIDP is the trusted partner for the next 30 years!

Content paid for and provided by AIDP