Meet Christina Sun of Sunhealth Therapeutics in Coconut Grove

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Sun.

Christina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
We all have something that makes us feel alive; that could be a passionate pursuit that adds a little extra meaning to life, an activity that gives us a sense of fulfillment and purpose. For me, it is the pursuit of beauty which shapes me from a former director of a global multibillion dollar skin care company based in Singapore; to becoming a licensed cosmetic dermatologist in China. The culmination of all these experiences has brought me to establish a cannabinoid based pharmaceutical company – Sunhealth Therapeutics in the US.

I have been very lucky to have worked with the most advanced beauty trends and technologies in dermatology and collaborated with many of the global leading dermatologists. I was looking for the next generation of dermatologic skin care and anti-aging which works in conjunction with cosmetic treatments (fillers, toxins, lasers, peels). I have concluded that this next generation of skin care improvement is through the use of cannabinoids. Only recently, has the scientific community realized that there are abundant cannabinoid receptors throughout the skin. Furthermore, because cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties, there is great potential for topical cannabis to improve conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema by reducing the inflammation associated with these diseases. This might be an affordable treatment for eczema, acne and psoriasis that doesn’t have the side effects of steroids.

Although a world of controversy surrounds the medical use of cannabis, there is science beyond the controversy. As Shu Uemura said “Be brave in the pursuit of beauty”.

Has it been a smooth road?
In the United States, we have been taught about cannabis as a drug of abuse and currently a forbidden medication in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. However, cannabis is an ancient medication used for centuries in China with a wide safety margin and useful in an array of medical conditions and ailments.

Although medical cannabis has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, its use engenders several regulatory challenges and ethical dilemmas. A number of states have passed medical marijuana laws or, are considering such laws, despite the federal prohibition but there are still lots of restrictions politically and culturally.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
The goal of Sunhealth Therapeutics is to develop and offer unique combinations of components from the cannabis plant to help stabilize these organ systems and therefore, help provide relief and improved quality of life. These products have been matched through the most recent global clinical information and medical research to provide the best possible care.

I am in responsible for the Dermatology Department of Sunhealth Therapeutics. Currently, I am working closely with leading dermatologists and cosmetologists from the US and China to develop formulations of topical cannabinoids in creams for eczema, psoriasis, acne and anti-aging.

My husband, Miles Gilman is the CEO and soul of the company. He has always encouraged me to follow my heart desires and do what I really want to do without any concerns or pullbacks. Miles is licensed pharmacist in Florida. He has a broad range of experience in healthcare research, clinical practice, administration, industry leadership, advisory services and a private equity investor. He is in charge of the other product lines of Sunhealth Therapeutics including: Crohncare, Fibrocare, Colicare and IBcare for Crohn’s disease, Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome respectively.

I do have a new nickname called “Magu” (麻姑) – the Hemp Goddess who healed ancient Asia with cannabis and provides the basis of Sunhealth Therapeutics -To help patients relieve their symptoms, improve their quality of life and comfort when possible.

Inspired by the “entourage” philosophy of Chinese Traditional Medicine, we believe in the combination of different cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids working in concert to create the magic healing power rather than the existing targeted approach of western medicine by individual molecules.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Being from Beijing, it has not been an easy decision to relocate back from Asia to Miami to establish our medical marijuana business. When making a life changing decision, do it from a place of faith, not fear. We certainly have the faith for Miami. Miami is the hometown of my husband. He has been an advisor to many Florida organizations including governments, medical schools, hospitals and large healthcare enterprises. With these connections and support, it is definitely better for us to set up our company’s headquarters here and expand to other states in US. And personally, I am falling in love with this “Magic City” after being here for 8 months, it is a unique and exciting mix of hip urban culture, laid-back seaside vibes and Latin and US tradition. And love makes Miami feel at home.

With respect to the Florida cannabis industry, the state has a long way to go to catch up with other markets. The current primary objective is to resolve the regulatory environment. Once done, Florida and California are predicted to be 50% of the entire US market. So from that perspective, Florida is the place to be for opportunity. As for Miami as a start-up environment, many innovation programs have started including Baptist Health and Startup Bootcamp. Programs like these should provide for further opportunities in general.

Pricing:

• Our goal is to help support chronic disease states and improve quality of life. Many of the current outcomes have shown that other concomitant medicines can be reduced or eliminated from regimens with the use of daily cannabinoids. The cost for the topical approach for eczema, psoriasis and acne may vary along with the size of the skin area. Our topical products will be priced between $50-100 per container. In the gastroenterology and rheumatology conditions, our products are priced for daily use and monthly cost of about $120.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sunhealth420.com
• Email: csunmd@sunhealth420.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunhealth420/

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