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Our Story

THAROS™ was born out of collaboration between Dr Rosemary Waring (Honorary Reader of Toxicology, Birmingham University) and Professor John Hunter (Consultant Emeritus in Gastroenterology, Addenbrooke's Hospital) in the area of gut health, malfermentation and the microbiome. Tharos is rooted in evidence-based research and nurturing big ambitions. 

The Company was founded in 2016 with the objective of finding scientific solutions for Animal Gut Health.

2009 - Professor John Hunter publishes a comparison of the human and horse gut. This leads to the identification of low pancreatic enzyme activity and too-rapid digestion as possible explanations for horse digestion problems.

2010/11 - Prof Hunter and Dr Rosemary Waring identify enzyme rich malt extract as a source of enzymes to compensate for lack of adequate pancreatic enzyme activity in horses.

2012 - Enzyme rich malt extract is tested in horses at a flat racing yard ranked in the top 5 in the UK. The horses show significantly improved condition and run better. Careful stool analysis shows a drop in acetate, which means nutrients are being better absorbed in the gut.

2013 - The trial racing yard puts all his horses on enzyme rich malt extract.

2015 - A pilot study in laminitis helps to identify a potential biomarker for detection of the condition. A different study, managed through a separate company, tests enzyme rich malt extract in humans who have similar problems: the results are positive.

2016 - Tharos Ltd is formed to commercialise enzyme rich malt extract.

2016 to 2018 - EquiNectar® is developed and the scientific programme is consolidated. The clinical and product development programme is optimised to focus on laminitis and wider animal health.