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Burleson County’s Unique Heritage

People in all walks of life influence those around them. In this column, we will be featuring those who have made an impact in our small towns. Nathan Bryan

Researcher . Developer . Humanitarian . Family Man

Normally, in the Front Porch Spotlight article, we recognize an individual who has benefitted our city or area in various ways; however, in this article we will spotlight a young man who has helped people all over the world: our own Nathan Bryan.

Nathan’s education and research pursuits include Caldwell High School graduate 1992; UT Austin, BS Biochemistry 1997; LSU School of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy Molecular and Cellular Physiology 2004; and Boston University School of Medicine, Cardiovascular fellowship 2003-2005.

“I’ve always had an interest in science and medicine,” Nathan comments, but adds when he became a student at UT Austin, his interest became more apparent. There, he began to do undergraduate research in biochemisty during a time when protein overexpression in bacteria was revolutionizing science and medicine. Purification of protein was beginning, and then study of its activity and function led to gaining a better understanding of what may go wrong in many diseases. The next 3 years Nathan worked as a chemist. In 2000 at LSU, he was introduced to the science of nitric oxide. Just 2 years earlier, 1998, 3 U.S. scientists discovered nitric oxide. After meeting one of the Nobel Prize winners, Nathan realized the importance of research in this area…that there was much to learn.

His first challenge was to develop a method to detect this nitric oxide gas which was in such low levels in biological systems. Nathan was able to accomplish this within a year, providing the field an incredible tool to use to measure nitric oxide in many different diseases. He published over half a dozen original papers, and completed his Ph.D. Later, at Boston U School of Medicine, he continued nitric oxide research. There they published many discoveries around nitric oxide, and at UT Health Sciences Houston, Nobel Prize winner Ferid Murad, Ph. D. recruited Nathan. There he worked on developing oxide based therapies for different human diseases. Over the next few years, his patents were issued, and today he has over 2 dozen US and International patents.

Endeavors to commercialize his discoveries began in 2009, with HumanN, Inc www. HumanN.com; they developed an over-thecounter nitric oxide lozenge Neo40, and brought it to market in 2010. Another product, BeetElite was for sports performance. In 2015, a consumer brand of nitric oxide based energy product called Superbeets was made available. Today these three products are responsible for over $500 million in revenue and provides more than 40% of the total licensing revenue to the University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston. His patents are some of the most successful in the history of the University.

In 2018 Nitric Oxide Innovations www.nitricoxideinnovations.com was started, which involved developing nitric oxide drugs for a number of human diseases. Today they have a nitric oxide drug for COVID-19, called NOviricid that is in phrase 3 clinical trial. Hopefully, the FDA will complete study and a drug available by 2022, first quarter. 2019 and later brought Pneuma Nitric Oxide, LLC. And earlier this year, a new company Bryan Nitriceuticals, LLC brought their NO2U lozenge www.no2u.com for better health for patients.

In 2015, Nathan retired from full time Academia and has focused on building a portfolio of companies to provide safe and effective nitric oxide products in every major product category worldwide. Nathan feels blessed beyond measure to have done all he has been able to accomplish. Recently his company donated $800,000 worth of nitric oxide products to Nepal to help with their COVID relief. He also gives 5% of profits to humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Nathan still travels, lectures and trains on nitric oxide, but he often finds time to spend at home at their ranch, working with Braford calves, team roping, or just riding horses. He always finds time for family, and one enjoyment is going to his boys’ sporting events. With the loss of son Grant in 2018, the family is constantly reminded how precious each minute of life is.

Nathan’s parents, Ronnie W. Bryan and Tresha L Morton, and wife Kristen A. Young Bryan, along with sons the late Grant Perimann, Lincoln Bryan, and Conley Bryan make up the recent legacy of Nathan Bryan.

Nathan, congratulations on the successes you’ve been a part of. We are very proud to say you are a man who has accomplished much for so many. Thank you.