Texas-based supplement contract manufacturer pleads guilty to misleading and defrauding customers.
Brett Becker, the owner of Accelerated Genetix LLC in Dallas, has pleaded guilty to the distribution of unapproved new drugs with the intent to mislead and defraud the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and consumers. The felony conviction related to the illegal sale of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs).
Accelerated Genetix was incorporated as a sport supplement contract manufacturing company. The company operated a 30,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the Dallas suburb of Argyle.
Accelerated Genetix imported raw SARM powder ingredients from China. Two of its bestselling SARMs were Ostarine and Ligandrol. These synthetic compounds are legally classified as unapproved drugs which have not been approved by the FDA.
Accelerated Genetix was a private label manufacturer for other supplement companies that sold SARMs. However, Becker and Accelerated Genetix also operated a few other direct-to-consumer sports supplement brands.
The Accelerated Genetix operated brands included Alchemy Labs, Phenom Nutrition, Nutraceutical Innovations, and Platinum Nutraceuticals. The brands sold popular SARM products such as Alchemy Labs Ostarine, Alchemy Labs SARMS Triple Threat, PM-SARM GW and SARM Maxx.
FDA had been warning supplement companies about selling SARMs since as early as 2017.
The FDA put the supplement industry on notice regarding SARMs illegally masquerading as dietary supplements since as early as 2017.
“Becker and his company put their customers’ health at risk by unlawfully distributing drugs without FDA approval,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar of the Western District of Virginia. “This case is particularly troubling, given the FDA’s explicit and repeated warnings about the dangers of SARMs.
Accelerated Genetix was sued in connection with its Platinum Nutraceuticals brand products. In response to the lawsuit, Accelerated Genetix stopped selling SARMs under its own brand names. However, the company continued to manufacture SARMs for other private-label customers.
Becker and Accelerated Genetix’s felonious actions took placed between January 1, 2016 and March 27, 2019. The government estimated that Advanced Genetix earned approximately $3.5 million from the illegal sale of SARMs. Becker agreed to forfeit $3.5 as part of his plea agreement.
Becker is scheduled to be sentenced on March 15, 2021.