Founder
Stephanie Drax
Stephanie is a journalist and mother to two tornado-like boys. Like many mums, she would brace herself for when the inevitable blocked noses and spluttering coughs would start. In 2018, Stephanie began researching ways of cutting colds off at the pass rather than masking the symptoms with medication. Her research led her to Dr Nicholas Larkins, who told her about Lactoferrin and its extraordinary properties, saying he "hadn't had a cold in 30 years". Stephanie tried for herself what scientists call the "miracle molecule" and was astounded by its instant effects. She sourced the best Lactoferrin from France, gathered a team of scientists and wellness experts and launched Leapfrog, bringing chewable Lactoferrin supplements to the UK for the first time.
Head of Nutrition
Emma Davies
DipNUT, MBANT, CNHC
Emma is a nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner. She is both Leapfrog's Head of Nutrition, and has her own clinic, Pom Nutrition, through which she can see clients 1:1. She is strongly influenced by both the integrative and functional medicine philosophies that underlie her knowledge of nutrition. Emma specialises in Autoimmunity and Immunity, Women’s health, Thyroid and Adrenal health and Gut dysfunction. She regularly uses Lactoferrin in clinic for its astounding variety of therapeutic benefits.
Emma is a nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner. She is both Leapfrog's Head of Nutrition, and has her own clinic, Pom Nutrition, through which she can see clients 1:1. She is strongly influenced by both the integrative and functional medicine philosophies that underlie her knowledge of nutrition. Emma specialises in Autoimmunity and Immunity, Women’s health, Thyroid and Adrenal health and Gut dysfunction. She regularly uses Lactoferrin in clinic for its astounding variety of therapeutic benefits.
Head of Science
Dr Enzo Fornari
Dr Fornari has over 15 years’ experience working on the formulation / product development of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical products within both academic and commercial settings. His deep knowledge of NPD/Product Development and commercialisation of new technologies drives the innovation behind the Leapfrog range.
Pharmaceutical Consultant
Dr Hamid Merchant
BPharm MPharm PhD PGCertHE CQP RPh FHEA SRPharmS
Dr Merchant has over 17 years’ experience in pharmaceutical research and development. In 2021, his peer-review paper was published, entitled: "Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". Dr Merchant's expertise includes novel formulation design, biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and bioequivalence. Formerly associated with Abbott Laboratories Ltd for five years and UCL for six years, he is currently Subject Lead in Pharmacy and the Course Leader for the postgraduate suite of pharmacy programs at the University of East London. Dr Merchant is also a Deputy Editor-in-Chief for the British Journal of Pharmacy.
Dr Merchant has over 17 years’ experience in pharmaceutical research and development. In 2021, his peer-review paper was published, entitled: "Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". Dr Merchant's expertise includes novel formulation design, biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and bioequivalence. Formerly associated with Abbott Laboratories Ltd for five years and UCL for six years, he is currently Subject Lead in Pharmacy and the Course Leader for the postgraduate suite of pharmacy programs at the University of East London. Dr Merchant is also a Deputy Editor-in-Chief for the British Journal of Pharmacy.
Immunology Consultant
Dr Marian Kruzel PhD
Professor Kruzel is an internationally recognized immunologist and a faculty member at the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, UT Health McGovern Medical School at Houston. His pioneering work in Lactoferrin research has lead to ground breaking discoveries, including the development of a fully human-compatible lactoferrin gene. In 2025 he published "Immune Homeostasis as a Function of Life: A Case Study for Lactoferrin" that illuminates the complexities of immune regulation through the lens of one of the most "promising molecules in immunology: Lactoferrin".