City of Industry, CA—AIDP shared news of the passing of company founder and CEO, Edward Lee, Ph.D. Dr. Lee, who held a Ph.D. in mathematics, believed in accuracy, safety, high-quality ingredients, and measurable results, and he worked to elevate industry standards through honesty, transparency, and integrity. He was passionate advocate for the natural products industry, supporting numerous trade organizations and advocacy groups for more than 30 years.
Dr. Lee had a vision to elevated standards within the industry, and the creativity to help set those standards. As AIDP shared, Dr. Lee, along with his lifelong partner, Jennifer Gu, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of R&D, was pioneer who consistently identified emerging trends.
One of those trends was supporting cognitive health. AIDP shared that one of Dr. Lee’s greatest passions was AIDP’s signature product, Magtein. He and Dr. Gu recognized its potential for supporting cognitive health and the critical role of magnesium in the human body, and the ingredient’s success is a reflection of his dedication, and belief in its impact. The commercial success of Magtein led to the creation of ThreoTech, LLC in April 2024—a standalone company dedicated to the global expansion of Magtein.
Remembering Dr. Lee
Mark Thurston, President of AIDP, shared, “Edward will be remembered as a dynamic entrepreneur whose curiosity and generosity shaped everyone who worked with him. He devoted himself to helping small and midsize companies develop innovative ingredients, and AIDP’s success—along with that of its partners—stands as a testament to his drive and supportive spirit.”
Rory Lipsky, Executive Vice President of ThreoTech, added, “Edward Lee’s passing is a profound loss to all of us at ThreoTech. Edward was not only an exceptional leader, but a person of deep integrity, generosity, and vision who left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with. His dedication and drive helped shape who we are today, and his legacy will continue to guide and inspire us as we work to realize his mission of making Magtein a household name.”
Dr. Jennifer Gu to Assume CEO Role
Dr. Gu, who has been with the company from the start and has played a key role in the success of Magtein and other branded ingredients, will assume the roles of CEO at AIDP and Threotech as well as the various board positions held by Dr. Lee. Dr. Gu will work with the management teams from both companies to carry out Dr. Lee’s vision.
The company shared: “While we mourn his loss, AIDP and ThreoTech remain strong and fully committed to working with our partners, customers, vendors and employees with the same standard of excellence and focus that Edward instilled in us. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, employees, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. As AIDP enters its 30th year, we reflect on our growth from humble beginnings into a multinational company employing more than 60 team members worldwide. Our exceptional AIDP and Threotech management teams remain committed to carrying forward Edward’s legacy, honoring the values he instilled in our organizations, and continuing to grow both companies.”
Dr. Gu added, “What Edward wanted most was to leave a legacy, and it is our mission now to finish his dream.”
