IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChromaDex Corp. (OTCQX:CDXC), an innovator of proprietary health, wellness, and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplements, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products, announced today a Materials Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (MCRADA) with the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Under the terms of the MCRADA, the NIA will use ChromaDex’s NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside (NR) to further investigate the effects of NR on wild type and DNA repair deficient mouse models. Specifically, NIA will study effects of supplementation with NIAGEN® NR on Cockayne syndrome and Ataxia Telangiectasia. NIA will also test whether NIAGEN® rescues dysfunctional mitochondrial phenotype in csb-deficient C.Elegans.
The NIA is one of 27 institutes and centers at the NIH. It supports and conducts research on the nature of aging and the aging process and diseases and conditions associated with growing older.
The NIA has preliminary in vitro and in vivo research in animal models results that support the idea that NR may have beneficial effects on xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation Group A (XPA), a disease caused by mutations in genes involved in repairing damaged DNA.
Under the agreement, NIA will set up toxicity studies using NR in Cockayne syndrome mice and will study drug function and efficacy, and measure a variety of endpoints under short and long term treatment with NR. ChromaDex will provide quantities of NIAGEN® as well as contribute $150,000 for the research activities under the MCRADA.
In December 2014, ChromaDex announced that the results of a mouse study performed in collaboration with ChromaDex by the NIA were published in Cell Metabolism in November 2014. The results indicated that nicotinamide riboside (NR) was effective at restoring NAD+ levels in mitochondria and rescuing phenotypes associated with a devastating accelerated aging disease known as Cockayne Syndrome (CS). The researchers concluded that NR should be further explored as a potential therapy for the disease, as well as for other age-related neurodegenerative conditions.
NIH researchers commented in the Cell publication: "As expected, old Csb mice had decreased NAD+ and ATP levels before treatment. Remarkably, a single week of treatment with NR completely normalized these levels."
Frank Jaksch, CEO and Founder of ChromaDex stated, "We are excited to continue and expand our R&D collaboration with the NIH for our NIAGEN® NR. Based on the very encouraging results of the first NIH study of NR in Cockayne syndrome (CS) mouse models, we are pleased to expand the study with the NIH to both further study NR for CS as well as other possible therapeutic indications for NR, including the neurodegenerative disease, Ataxia Telangiectasia.”
ChromaDex's NIAGEN® is the first and only commercially available form of NR and is supported by five patents issued and several pending, with patents rights acquired from Dartmouth College, Cornell University and Washington University.
Published research has shown that NR is perhaps the most effective precursor to boost the co-enzyme NAD+ in the cell. NAD+ is arguably the most important cellular co-factor for improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy. In recent years, NAD+ has also been shown to participate as an extracellular signaling molecule in cell-to-cell communication. NAD+ is essential in supporting healthy cellular metabolism, including the efficient conversion of blood glucose into energy.
As organisms age, NAD+ levels drop, which leads to a decrease in mitochondrial health; this in turn leads to age-related health issues. Low NAD+ levels limit the activity of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, which are believed to play key roles in longevity. NAD+ levels can be depleted by many of the stresses of life. By boosting NAD+, NR can increase mitochondrial health and induce creation of new mitochondria.
About ChromaDex:
ChromaDex leverages its complementary business units to discover, acquire, develop and commercialize patented and proprietary ingredient technologies that address the dietary supplement, food, beverage, skin care and pharmaceutical markets. In addition to our ingredient technologies unit, we also have business units focused on natural product fine chemicals (known as "phytochemicals"), chemistry and analytical testing services, and product regulatory and safety consulting (known as Spherix Consulting). As a result of our relationships with leading universities and research institutions, we are able to discover and license early stage, IP-backed ingredient technologies. We then utilize our in-house chemistry, regulatory and safety consulting business units to develop commercially viable ingredients. Our ingredient portfolio is backed with clinical and scientific research, as well as extensive IP protection. Our portfolio of patented ingredient technologies includes NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside; pTeroPure® pterostilbene; PURENERGY®, a caffeine-pTeroPure® co-crystal; ProC3G®, a natural black rice containing cyanidin-3-glucoside; IMMULINA™, a spirulina extract; and Suntava® Purple Corn derived from a proprietary non-GMO purple corn hybrid which contains an extraordinarily high level of anthocyanins. To learn more about ChromaDex, please visit www.ChromaDex.com.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements that are not a description of historical facts constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "potential", "possible", "probable", "believes", "seeks", "may", "will", "should", "could" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in ChromaDex's business. More detailed information about ChromaDex and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in ChromaDex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, ChromaDex's Quarter Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted by ChromaDex to the SEC, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ChromaDex undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
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