The Therahaler breathing device was conceived in 1998 by Bryan Speight. Bryan was born in England and was educated in Durban. He was accepted as a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain before opening a community pharmacy serving the disadvantaged communities in Durban. He pioneered formulating a number of generic alternative medicines to assist his community. Over many years of research, Bryan became interested in the emerging challenges of the effects of paramagnetic influences on elemental iron sites and the effects that this might have on the treatment of asthma.
Examining research on “Red” blood cells, showed that Oxygen, being “paramagnetic, was attracted to these cells via elemental iron sites, which carried a “magnetic” charge. The idea was born to research the principles of improving attractive “magnetic” energy on blood cells.
Preliminary tests conducted by Dr Alf Gericke on numerous chronic Asthma sufferers yielded unexpectedly good results – medication was dramatically reduced and the quality of life for these patients was significantly improved. Radical reduction of corticosteroid therapy indicated that the Therahaler had stimulated the immune system function.
This was followed by many more tests over the next eight years, including the exciting investigation by Durban based pulmonologist, Dr. Mike van den Linden, whose clinical trials indicated scientifically measured improvement on the quality of life for a controlled group of registered asthmatics.
The astounding results of these tests came to the attention of Dr. Craig Roberts, well respected sport Physician and also team Doctor for the Sharks Rugby Franchise and team Doctor for the National Springbok Rugby team, who was motivated to carry on additional research to investigate whether the device could be used to improve athletic performance. This resulted in a double blind placebo clinical trial carried out by the National Institute for Sports Medicine and the academic team from the University of Cape Town, to determine what effect the device would have on athletes peak performance output. The results of these tests amazed the supervisors and academics when the 131 professional athletes averaged an improvement in their peak performance output of 13, 8%. The study and presentation thereof was adjudged ‘cum laude’ for its meticulous planning, precise execution and innovative principles.
COMPANY EXECUTIVE
- Chairman/ Financial Director - Michael David Hopley born 25 September 1946. Born and educated in Durban, he is the senior partner of a well established accounting practice as well as holding directorships in a number of companies.
- Managing Director/CEO - Arthur Warren Wilmans, born 25th February 1947. He began his working career as a trainee in the marketing department of multinational Campbell Booker Carter in Central and East Africa, while studying towards a diploma in marketing and business management through the University of London before moving to South Africa. In the early 1970’s, he left the advertising industry to become a senior partner at Hillrand Business Brokers, helping to build it into the largest brokerage of its kind in South Africa. In 1984 he resigned his partnership at Hillrand to devote his energies to building a property development company on the South African East Coast.
- Director - Daryl Gillingham Francois, born 2 April 1959. He obtained his Masters of Law through the University of London before being admitted to practice law at the Durban Bar. He is a director of several companies and trustee of several trading trusts.
- Director - Research & Development - Bryan Speight, born in England on 3 November 1937. a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. He is the inventor of the patented Therahaler device and has been a practising pharmacist in Durban since 1960 serving the disadvantaged communities in and around Durban for over 26 years.
- Director - Medical Services – Dr Craig Roberts has an MBChB (UCT) and an MPhil in Sports Medicine (UCT). He has been the Sports Physician to the Sharks since 2000, and is the Springbok Rugby Team Doctor. Craig is the Medical Consultant to Sharks Rugby Academy and is a Special Editor of Men’s Health Magazine in which he has a monthly column. He is also a lecturer in Sports Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He was the Sports Physician consultant to the England Twenty 20 World Cup cricket team 2007 and is a member of the SA Rugby Medical Association Committee. He has been practicing as a Sports Physician and General Practitioner for the past 10 years. His particular interests are difficult sports injuries and performance optimisation.
- Director - Dave Mitchell, born 29 June 1941. He was educated at Dale College, in the Eastern Cape, before embarking on a career in sales. Dave has established an enviable reputation as a coal trader to industry.
