An Interview with Dr. Craig Hudson, Psychiatrist and Founder of Biosential, Inc.
Updated: February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Biosential Inc. was co-founded in 1999, developing natural tryptophan-based products like Zenbev for sleep and anxiety relief with patents in 12 countries.
- The biotech strategy focused on creating revenue-generating products quickly rather than waiting years for regulatory approvals.
- Hudson emphasizes the “3Rs of biotech success: revenue, revenue, revenue” and advises entrepreneurs to find scientifically-backed products.
Dr. Craig Hudson is a Canadian psychiatrist, medical researcher, and biotech entrepreneur. He co-founded Biosential Inc., a company specializing in natural health products for sleep and anxiety. His career bridges clinical medicine and business innovation. This path represents a compelling example of defining yourself as an entrepreneur while maintaining scientific credibility.
Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs will find valuable lessons here. Anyone interested in healthcare and business can learn from this journey. His path from psychiatric practice to profitable biotech company offers a real-world case study.
Through this interview, you will discover how he identified a gap in the natural health marketplace. You’ll learn his practical approach to balancing science with sustainable revenue. His experience provides actionable guidance for entrepreneurs in health-related industries.
Background and Education
Dr. Craig Hudson first became interested in science while attending the University of Waterloo in Ontario. After earning his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1988, he completed an internship and psychiatric residency. In 1993, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, specializing in psychiatry.
He accepted the position of Chief of Psychiatry at Stratford General Hospital in Ontario in 1996. Later, he was promoted to Chief of Staff. Upon completing his term, he co-founded Biosential, a biotech company.
Q What first inspired you to get into the medical field?
Dr. Craig Hudson: I remember visiting the Ontario Science Centre as a child. My favourite exhibit was the “Bad Team – Best Lab” re-creation. I was fascinated by what two doctors could achieve with only basic equipment.
Reading brought me joy, especially books about science that sparked my imagination. The local librarian often chose books for me and pushed me to dive deeper into natural science topics. I distinctly remember reading Man of Science. The chapter on Louis Pasteur’s discovery of the rabies vaccine was quite compelling.
In high school, my chemistry teacher encouraged me to study at the University of Waterloo. The co-op program offered a way to pay for university that I couldn’t otherwise afford.
While at Waterloo, I was invited by Dr. Philip Bryden to study under him. For the first time, I became interested in clinical applications of basic science. He and other graduate students encouraged me to apply to medicine rather than neuropsychology.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your company, Biosential Inc?
Dr. Craig Hudson: In 1999, Susan Hudson and I noticed a gap in the medical research marketplace. Friends and colleagues had launched startup medical businesses. Many failed because of funding issues.
I had an idea: develop a natural product with good clinical benefits that could reach market quickly. This approach would generate cash flow and avoid the notorious funding gap. We decided to strike out on our own with a focus on scientifically-backed products.
This two-pronged approach made Biosential successful in both science and profit. Our goal was combining rigorous research with out-of-the-box thinking. It was challenging from the start, and it’s still challenging today.
We knew what we were doing was much needed. From the outset, we decided to assist other practitioners and further scientific discoveries. Our pursuits are purely scientific. We’ve conducted studies focusing on tryptophan as a sleep aid. We’ve also researched microsatellite polymorphism in schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Q What projects is Biosential Inc. currently working on?
Dr. Craig Hudson: Our primary focus is manufacturing Zelatonin® and selling Zenbev and Restbites. These natural health products promote restful sleep and decreased anxiety. We hold patents in 12 countries with over 50 additional patents pending. We’re still only in phase one, and these products have been rigorously tested.
Our main goal is helping people. Based on current results, I’m proud to say we are succeeding. We still have much more we hope to accomplish.
Q What were some of the challenges that Biosential Inc. initially faced?
Dr. Craig Hudson: Quite a few, actually! Starting our company wasn’t much different than any start-up. Susan and I are both accidental entrepreneurs. Our initial plan was to develop science, file patents, and create a preliminary product for licensing.
We learned the hard way about businesses that take advantage of naïve individuals. Certainly, we were just that initially. Over time, we’ve become seasoned professionals with a keen eye on profit. I firmly believe: “Revenue is for vanity and profit is for sanity.”
By focusing on a profitable bottom line, we’ve continually developed new products. We’ve also built a foundation for a successful entrepreneurial biotech company. Starting any company involves a huge learning curve. We learned to maximize limited financial resources.
In medical and scientific fields, one’s reach can easily exceed their grasp. We faced that risk several times early on. Financial limitations taught us that some projects take longer than expected. We learned to focus on executable concepts that generate significant revenue within supportable timelines.
Q: Do you have any advice for someone looking to get into the medical field?
Dr. Craig Hudson: Biotech is a funny business. Many believe the most successful idea makes the most successful company. I strongly believe in the 3Rs of biotech success: revenue, revenue, revenue.
Find a successful product backed by scientific data. That’s the best starting point for success. With more resources, you can pursue more opportunities. Timing and discipline are key factors.
Before starting your journey, do your soul searching. Be prepared to endure a very long road ahead. Medicine requires tremendous hard work and dedication. There are many late nights studying and striving to be your best. The same applies to founding a biotech firm.
Adaptability matters greatly. If you’re willing to stick with it and grind it out, there’s no better profession. In my opinion, there’s no brighter future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Craig Hudson?
Craig Hudson is a Toronto-based psychiatrist, medical researcher, and entrepreneur. He earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1988. Like other successful Canadian entrepreneurs, he built his reputation across multiple professional domains. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1993. Before co-founding Biosential Inc. in 1999, he served as Chief of Psychiatry at Stratford General Hospital.
What is Biosential Inc?
Biosential Inc. is a Canadian biotech company founded in 1999. It develops natural health products for central nervous system conditions. The company creates scientifically-backed consumer health products for sleep disorders and anxiety. Currently, Biosential holds patents in 12 countries with over 50 additional patents pending.
What products does Biosential make?
Zenbev is the company’s flagship product—a powdered drink mix providing natural tryptophan from pumpkin seeds. It promotes sleep and reduces anxiety. Restbites offers an edible version of the Zenbev formulation. Zelatonin rounds out the product line. All products are clinically tested natural health solutions.
What is tryptophan and how does it help with sleep?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid used by the body to produce serotonin and melatonin. Both compounds are crucial for regulating sleep and mood. Hudson’s research focused on sourcing natural tryptophan from organic pumpkin seeds. These products help the body produce its own sleep-inducing compounds naturally.
How did Dr. Craig Hudson start his biotech company?
The Hudsons identified a gap in the medical research marketplace. Many startups failed due to funding issues. They strategically developed natural products with proven clinical benefits for quick market entry. This approach generated cash flow while avoiding lengthy regulatory delays. For those exploring online business ideas, this rapid market entry model offers useful lessons.
What advice does Dr. Craig Hudson have for medical entrepreneurs?
His top advice centers on the “3Rs of biotech success: revenue, revenue, revenue.” Find products backed by scientific data that can reach market quickly. Adapting to challenges and maintaining discipline with timing are essential. Be prepared for a long road ahead in both medicine and entrepreneurship. For more business tips for entrepreneurs, persistence and profitability focus are key.
