Gateway to Wellness, the NHPRS’ 6th Annual Research Conference and Tradeshow, drew more than 200 delegates to Vancouver from countries around the world March 18-21, 2009.

The slate of top-notch plenary speakers and the scientific program of lectures in social, applied, basic and clinical NHP research garnered overwhelmingly positive response from delegates.

The three-day event included six plenary sessions and 12 scientific symposia, as well as a poster session. Plentiful opportunities for informal discussion helped build the key value chain relationships the
NHPRS sees as vital to translating research results into commercial success and public benefit.
Scientific programming for Gateway to Wellness was designed to promote advancement and understanding of the scope of the science that underpins effective movement of traditional medicines and cultural knowledge into commercially successful products.
The marriage of two contrasting themes – tradition-based and biotech-based understanding provided unique opportunities for researchers in diverse areas to connect and collaborate. Tradition-based themes at the conference focused on determining what form of science can distinguish the level of evidence necessary to establish the quality and safety of traditional products. Biotech-based presentations showcased advances in the “omic” sciences. Genomics, proteomics and other approaches allow researchers to generate new theories about NHPs and their activity at the molecular level, as well as develop new tools and approaches for:

• testing hypotheses
• shedding light on mechanisms of action for natural products, and
• identification of biomarkers for health status.

Many thanks are due for the success of Gateway to Wellness. The generous and vital support of our sponsors provided for a wonderful venue, and saw to the comforts and interests of the delegates in many ways. Contributions included funding the first-time publication of NHPRS conference abstracts in a supplementary edition of Pharmaceutical Biology - free online access is available via the embedded hyperlink - networking opportunities, Ecototes conference bags, made of recycled pop bottles, and jump drives.

NHPRS wishes to gratefully acknowledge these sponsors:

• The Office of Dietary Supplements, (US) National Institutes of Health
• American Herbal Products Association
• Jamieson Laboratories
• Chromadex Inc.
• Genome British Columbia
• Agilent Technologies Inc.
• CV Technologies (now Afexa Life Sciences Inc.)
• Natural Factors Inc.
• Cerilliant Corporation
• dicentra Inc.
• Centre for Drug Research and Development
• Advanced Foods and Materials Network
• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• University of British Columbia

NHPRS also wishes to thank the conference co-chairs, Paula Brown and Dr. Susan Murch as well as Society President Dr. Ann Eastman, the NHPRS Board of Directors, our volunteers, and our presenters for their collective contributions that made Gateway to Wellness such a successful forum for scientific exchange.