Nutrition-Rich, Wholesome Dietary Supplement for Navy Dolphins

The U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program (MMP) houses and cares for dolphins, which play a key role in protecting harbors and Naval assets. These bottlenose dolphins develop subclinical metabolic syndrome requiring nutritional oral supplements to improve dolphin metabolism. To address this need, InnoSense LLC (ISL) will develop DolphiDose™, an oral supplement, with dose-specific beneficial fatty acids (FA) and antioxidants (a-tocopherol and ß-carotene) to counteract the condition. In Phase I, ISL will study archived Navy dolphin serum and liver samples to determine candidate nutrients to improve dolphin health. During the option period, ISL will fabricate and characterize DolphiDose, determine its safety, stability and shelf life. In Phase II, ISL will determine the dosing frequency and toxicity of DolphiDose in intestinal (Caco-2) and hepatic (Hep G2) cell lines. Near the end of Phase II, ISL will begin the process of obtaining regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for future use of this product in dolphins and other animals. In Phase III, ISL will transition the supplements for use in Navy dolphins. We will partner with a manufacturing facility to produce DolphiDose for the military market and marine mammal populations.