Seraphina Therapeutics, the manufacturer of a specialty fatty acid supplement called fatty15, ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies on the Inc. 5000 list.

Inc. a media brand covering news for entrepreneurs and small business owners, publishes the Inc. 5000 list each year, highlighting the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. which are independent. Past honorees include Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia.

Among all private companies on the Inc. 5000 list this year, Seraphina ranked 117, which is among the top 2%. The company was the fifth fastest-growing consumer product company on the list this year.

“We are proud to be among the top of the fastest growing companies in America, furthering our global mission to deliver science-backed healthy aging solutions that meaningfully improve people’s lives within months,” said Eric Venn-Watson, MD, co-founder and co-CEO of Seraphina. “From helping Navy dolphins to improving global health – we couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling journey.”

The company was founded by Venn-Watson and his wife, Stephanie Venn-Watson, who is a veterinarian.

The First Fatty Acid Discovered in 90 Years

While serving as a veterinary epidemiologist for the U.S. Navy, veterinarian Stephanie Venn-Watson discovered that one in three older Navy dolphins were developing age-related conditions like insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, elevated cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and anemia. Her team discovered that a newly-discovered essential fatty acid, C15:0 (pentadecanoic acid), was the strongest predictor of whether dolphins would be healthy as they aged. From there, clinical studies have found that concentrations of C15:0 in humans are also associated with age-related health benefits, the company reported.

After 10 years of research, more than 60 patents, and over 100 peer-reviewed studies, C15:0 has been validated as having the potential to support several measures of health and longevity. As a result of the research, the Office of Naval Research provided the Venn-Watsons with funding to develop a pure, bioavailable, and optimized C15:0 ingredient, formulated to strengthen cell membranes against age-related breakdown.

Studies suggest that the resulting supplement, fatty15, may support liver and blood cell function, LDL cholesterol reduction, gut microbiome balance, feelings of stress, and vascular function measures, after 12 weeks of treatment.

The company reports that since 2021, fatty15 has maintained a 95% monthly customer retention rate and has over 100,000 active subscribers. The direct-to-consumer performance and expansions into Amazon and healthcare provider channels has led to Seraphina growing at a 3,031% CAGR from 2021 to 2024.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Navy and the Navy’s dolphins for helping us unlock a core evolutionary tool of longevity that truly supports long-term wellness and healthy aging at all stages of life,” said Stephanie Venn-Watson, co-CEO. “Our discovery of C15:0 as an essential nutrient is proof that there are still simple and wholly meaningful discoveries to be made that can improve the health of all.”

“Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn’t just weather the storm, they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy.”