Jon-Paul Powers, PhD

Dr. Jon-Paul Powers is a partner and scientific advisor in Gowling WLG's Ottawa office. Working chiefly with the firm's Food & Beverage Group, he advises clients on a range of complex scientific, regulatory and compliance matters pertaining to foods, supplemented foods, natural health products, cosmetics and pet supplements. In addition to product and site requirements, Dr. Powers assists clients in need of scientific support pertaining to health claim substantiation and marketing, health risk assessments, product testing and quality management systems.

Dr. Powers holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of British Columbia and a BSc in biochemistry from Carleton University. His academic background focused on studying the mechanism of action of cationic, antimicrobial peptides. Besides a variety of international patents, this work also resulted in the development of a new therapeutic agent that is currently undergoing Phase III clinical studies for the treatment of oral mucositis in patients with solid tumors (FDA fast track designation). In addition to his peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Powers has recently authored chapters on the regulation of probiotic products in Canada and the regulation of dietary supplements and functional foods in Canada.

Prior to joining the firm, Dr. Powers was the owner and president of Split Science Inc., a Canadian scientific and regulatory consultancy. He has worked directly for Canadian manufacturers and distributors of foods and natural health products where he was responsible for all aspects of regulatory affairs and quality management.

Prior to working in the legal industry, Dr. Powers served as a unit head and assessment officer at the Natural Health Products Directorate of Health Canada, where his main responsibilities were the evaluation of clinical trial and product license applications, as well as providing strategic scientific guidance to senior officials. 

Dr. Powers is a former member of the board of directors of the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), Canada's largest trade association dedicated to natural health and organic products, and served as chair of the CHFA Government Relations Council, CHFA Natural Health Products Regulatory Affairs Advisory Council and CHFA Food Regulatory Affairs Advisory Council.