However, once a substantial amount of venture capital is raised, banks can make loans to the new businesses through special programs, he said. Connectin, a natural, herbal-based product, will be sold in granular form to be sprinkled on top of regular dog food. Dogs and horses primarily suffer from joint disorders, Rose said, and the company eventually may look at developing a similar product for horses. In clinical trials, dogs taking Connectin saw an improvement with joint disorders in about 10 days, she said. In double-blind, placebo controlled studies performed by independent veterinarians, the product showed relief of symptoms associated with joint disorder in 89 percent of the dogs tested within two weeks.
Joint disorders are the number one chronic ailment affecting dogs.
About 25 percent of the country's 55 million dogs will develop a joint disorder in their lives. The ingredients in Connectin include glycocyamine and mucopolysaccharides. Nine other herbal ingredients also are included that help decrease inflammation at the site of the joint disorder and disperse any buildup of free radicals, she said. These are ingredients used for many years in Europe. Rose and Chrisope also have started another business in Boulder, Gynelogix, a research firm focusing on overall vaginal health for women.