- November 22, 2024
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For two weeks, Ormond Beach resident Andrew Bernett's wife was struggling to get a full night's rest. Her eczema had flared up in her hands and she was miserable.
Bernett set out to find a way to help her, and in doing so, invented a topical delivery system that would set him on an entirely different career path. In 2023, he went from working in jet engine assembly for General Electric to launching Bee Well Therapeutics, a company that sells clothing items such as socks, gloves, sleeves and baby suits to help manage skin conditions, in about 90 days.
His first year in business, he said, has been surreal.
"I'm very humbled," Bernett said. "... I like talking about it and I know what it can do, so it's really fun."
Bee Well Therapeutics uses a beeswax-based solution in their medical fabrics to promote healing. Bernett has collaborated with local dermatologists since he started, his wife being one of them, and designed the materials to help with dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin conditions and other illnesses that require topical ointments for treatment.
When his wife used his prototype gloves for her topical ointment for eczema, she cut her healing time from 10 days to three or less, said Bernett, who is a chemist by degree.
Why beeswax?
When he worked in jet engine assembly, it was common practice to use wax on the tip of tools to hold nuts and bolts in place. So at the time when his wife's eczema flared up, he had it on hand in his garage.
Plus, the gears in his brain had started churning when one night his wife lit a candle, and he dipped his finger in to play with the wax, he recalled.
As he researched, he found that beeswax is rich in fatty acids and is breathable, making it ideal for wearing for long periods of time.
Currently, about six doctors offices sell his products, two of which are local. Since launching Bee Well Therapeutics, Bernett has sold 1,200 pieces to date.
"It's been pretty wild just to be a part of, and help as many people as I can," Bernett said.
He's working to add more products to his lineup, particularly after being in touch with a radiation oncologist who believed his patients could benefit from scarves, beanies and bras made from Bernett's materials.
Part of coming up with a novel invention, Bernett said, is education. He shows patient results on his website, and has reviews from people who have felt relief after using his products. He is also working on getting clinical trials underway.
"You have shots for some medications, you have pills for others, but there hasn't been anything for topicals, whether it's moisturizers, prescriptions or whatever — until now," Bernett said. "When you look at the different vectors, you know this is that third vector that that's been lacking."
Visit beewelltherapeutics.com.
