Prevagen is made by Quincy Bioscience, a privately held supplement company based in Madison, Wisconsin, that created and exclusively manufactures the Prevagen line of brain health supplements.
Quick Answer: Prevagen is manufactured by Quincy Bioscience in the United States at FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facilities. Its key ingredient is apoaequorin, a synthetic protein originally discovered in bioluminescent jellyfish. In December 2024, a federal court ordered Quincy Bioscience to stop making memory improvement claims after a seven-year FTC lawsuit concluded. As of early 2025, Prevagen’s website no longer carries the phrase “clinically shown to improve memory.”
Prevagen is one of the best-selling brain health supplements in the United States, widely available at pharmacy chains including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and through Amazon. It is marketed toward adults over 40 experiencing mild memory concerns associated with aging.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Prevagen and Where Is It Manufactured?
Quincy Bioscience is the sole manufacturer of Prevagen. The company was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, where it maintains its headquarters, research facilities, and manufacturing operations.
Prevagen is manufactured in the United States in facilities that are registered with the FDA and certified under Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). This means production processes meet the quality and safety standards required by the FDA for dietary supplements.
Quincy Bioscience operates as a privately held company. It is not a subsidiary of a pharmaceutical conglomerate and does not disclose its financial details publicly. Mark Underwood and Michael Beaman are named as officers of the company in federal court filings.
What Is Apoaequorin and Why Is It in Prevagen?
Apoaequorin is a calcium-binding protein originally discovered in the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria. It was first identified by scientists Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie, and Roger Tsien, whose work on this jellyfish’s proteins contributed to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008.
The apoaequorin in Prevagen is not extracted from actual jellyfish. Quincy Bioscience produces it through a proprietary fermentation process, creating a synthetic version identical in structure to the natural protein.
Quincy Bioscience’s theory is that apoaequorin may support brain cell function by regulating calcium levels in neurons. Calcium imbalances in brain cells are associated with age-related cognitive decline in some research literature. The company argues supplementing with apoaequorin could help address this mechanism.
The critical issue, confirmed by Quincy Bioscience’s own expert during the FTC trial, is that there is no demonstrated evidence apoaequorin survives digestion intact enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert the claimed cognitive effects.
What Happened With the FTC Lawsuit Against Prevagen?
The FTC and New York State Attorney General filed a joint lawsuit against Quincy Bioscience in 2017, alleging false and unsubstantiated claims about Prevagen’s ability to improve memory and cognitive function. The case went through seven years of federal litigation including a full jury trial in 2024.
In December 2024, US District Judge Louis L. Stanton issued a court order requiring Quincy Bioscience to cease making the eight key advertising claims that had been challenged, including “Prevagen is clinically shown to improve memory.” The FTC described the ruling as a win for consumer protection, particularly for older Americans targeted by the marketing.
In January 2025, the FTC finalized its order against Quincy Bioscience. As a result, Prevagen’s website and advertising were updated to remove the memory improvement language and “clinically proven” claims. Quincy Bioscience has indicated it intends to appeal.
Separate class action lawsuits filed by consumers in 2025 continue to move through courts, with plaintiffs alleging the product does not deliver the advertised cognitive benefits.
Prevagen vs Other Brain Supplements: How Does It Compare?
Prevagen sits in a crowded market of brain health and memory supplements including Neuriva, Focus Factor, and Natrol Cognium. It has been the top-selling over-the-counter brain supplement in the US for over a decade based on retail sales figures.
Neuriva, made by Reckitt, uses coffee cherry extract and phosphatidylserine as its active ingredients, both of which have somewhat stronger independent research backing than apoaequorin. Focus Factor uses a broader blend of vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts.
Across all of these products, independent scientific consensus remains skeptical that any over-the-counter supplement can meaningfully improve memory or cognitive function in healthy adults. The evidence base for this entire category of supplements is generally weak by clinical research standards.
For consumers who are committed to trying a brain health supplement, consulting with a physician before purchasing is the most reliable step, both to assess whether supplementation is appropriate and to discuss options with stronger or at least less legally contested evidence profiles.
What Prevagen Products Are Available?
Prevagen comes in three strength levels based on apoaequorin concentration. Regular Strength contains 10mg of apoaequorin per capsule and retails at approximately $37 for 60 capsules. Extra Strength contains 20mg and retails at approximately $55 to $60 for 60 capsules. Professional Strength contains 40mg and is positioned for higher-dose supplementation.
All formulations also contain Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as a secondary ingredient. The product is available in both capsule and chewable tablet formats. Subscribe and save options on prevagen.com offer a 12% discount with free shipping on monthly deliveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prevagen FDA approved?
No. Prevagen is a dietary supplement, not a drug, and dietary supplements do not require FDA approval before going to market. Prevagen is manufactured in FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facilities, which means the production process meets FDA manufacturing standards. However, the FDA has not reviewed or approved Prevagen’s efficacy claims, and a federal court ordered Quincy Bioscience to stop making its key memory improvement claims in December 2024.
Does Prevagen actually work?
The scientific consensus is highly skeptical. A federal court determined in 2024 that Quincy Bioscience’s advertising claims about memory improvement were misleading and ordered them stopped. The company’s own expert testified during trial that there is no demonstrated evidence apoaequorin crosses the blood-brain barrier intact. Independent scientific bodies and consumer advocacy organizations have consistently challenged the efficacy claims throughout Prevagen’s history.
Who founded Quincy Bioscience?
Quincy Bioscience was founded in Madison, Wisconsin, with Mark Underwood and Michael Beaman named as key officers in federal court filings. The company has been headquartered in Madison since its founding and focuses exclusively on brain health supplement development and manufacturing.
Where can I buy Prevagen?
Prevagen is available at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target, and other major pharmacy chains and retailers. It is also sold on Amazon and directly through prevagen.com, where subscription pricing offers the lowest per-unit cost. Quincy Bioscience recommends purchasing only from authorized retailers to ensure product authenticity and eligibility for its return policy.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.