Functional Ingredients for Every Phase of Life

Reza Mahour, CEO, Primogene

© Primogene

CHEManager: Mr. Mahour, what is the story behind Primogene? What prompted you to found a start-up?

Reza Mahour: We are interested in solving a problem that really matters. For over 30 years, neonatal diseases, especially those caused by premature birth, have been one of the main causes of lost healthy life years worldwide. Despite great advances in science and medicine, premature babies still suffer from an unmet need for adequate nutrition. This is not a technological failure. It is a failure to address the right problem.
Premature infant feeding is not an isolated problem, but part of a larger pattern: Throughout all stages of life, our bodies rely on essential bioactive components. We do not absorb many of these sufficiently, or we no longer produce them efficiently over time. That's why we founded Primogene. Because we saw a relevant problem that we could not ignore.

You produce human-identical ingredients. What does that mean, and what makes them special?

R. Mahour: When we talk about human-identical or bio-identical, we mean compounds that are structurally identical to those in the human body, down to the smallest biochemical detail, including specific bonds and modifications.
But it is not just about structural replication, but also about functional effects. These molecules are special because of their effects: some cross the blood-brain barrier and support cognitive health. Others penetrate the skin and promote hydration. Some are microbiome-friendly and nourish the "good" gut bacteria and suppress the harmful ones.