IRVINE, Calif., June 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), an innovator of proprietary health, wellness and nutritional ingredients that creates science-based solutions for dietary supplement, food and beverage, skin care, sports nutrition, and pharmaceutical products announced today that Charles Brenner, PhD, the Roy J. Carver Chair and Head of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and current ChromaDex Scientific Advisory Board member, has been appointed Chief Scientific Advisor. The world’s leading expert on nicotinamide riboside (NR), Brenner has published 36 research papers and has 6 issued patents on NR and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-related technologies.
ChromaDex Founder and CEO, Frank Jaksch, stated, “Dr. Brenner has the most experience designing and conducting studies that measure the unique impacts of NR on NAD-dependent processes in the human body. His knowledge will be instrumental in ensuring we make the best investments in the highest quality research and clinical testing.”
When on faculty at Dartmouth College in 2004, Brenner made the seminal discovery that NR is naturally present in small amounts in milk, and serves as an unanticipated vitamin precursor of NAD in organisms from yeast to humans. Brenner’s discovery of the NR kinase pathway revealed a highly efficient way of boosting NAD and sirtuin activities. He also developed quantitative targeted NAD metabolomics technologies, has performed work showing that NR prevents and reverses diabetic and chemotherapeutic neuropathy in rodents, and demonstrated that NR is a safe and effective means to increase NAD+ levels in people. By identifying and characterizing previously unknown genes, showing that NR extends lifespan in model systems, and developing technologies to quantify the NAD metabolome in any cell system including human blood, Brenner’s discoveries have shaped the focus of NR and NAD+ research by scientists throughout the world. Brenner earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Wesleyan University and his PhD in cancer biology from Stanford University.
Robert Fried, President and Chief Strategy Officer of ChromaDex, added, “The work of Dr. Brenner is improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and will soon affect many millions more. He is a brilliant scientist, and smart tactician that will help us further unveil the role NR plays in the anti-aging story. We are honored that he has chosen to become our Chief Scientific Advisor.”
Over the past three years, ChromaDex has established over 100 collaborative agreements with leading universities and research institutions to study the safety and efficacy of NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside. Currently, there are there 13 human clinical studies on NR. Over the next few years results from these trials will be essential to validating the role of NR in promoting human health.
Brenner’s commitment to NR and NAD research and education is impacting more than those in the scientific research communities. He serves as a member of the Scientific Editorial Board for and is a key contributor to AboutNR.com – the scientifically-backed information resource written for the public curated by ChromaDex, covering the latest discoveries and expert discussions on NR and NAD.
Charles Brenner, PhD, ChromaDex Scientific Advisory Board member and Chief Scientific Advisor, stated, “There is no question that ChromaDex’s ability to develop and commercialize NR has greatly accelerated the pace of preclinical and clinical testing of this important nutrient. I am grateful for the partnership with ChromaDex and look forward to continued testing of the metabolism-boosting properties of NR, as well as future technologies.”
For more information about ChromaDex, visit www.chromadex.com.
About NR and NAD:
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a next-generation form of vitamin B3 that has been shown to significantly increase NAD in animals and humans. Studies have shown that levels of NAD+ decline with age.
NAD is essential for life because it activates cellular metabolism and energy production within the “power stations of the cell” - the mitochondria. Our mitochondria are constantly working to convert calories from food into the energy necessary to power all bodily systems. The challenge is that both NAD levels and mitochondrial function decline with age. The reduction in NAD is believed by scientists to be linked to systemic declines in resiliency associated with aging.
For more information on NR and NAD, visit www.AboutNR.com
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. 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; IMMULINA™, a spirulina extract; and AnthOrigin™, anthocyanins derived from a domestically-produced, water-extracted purple corn husk. 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, including statements related to expertise, the innovative qualities of NR, results of the NR studies and their significance, and the anti-aging capabilities of NR. 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. 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 2, 2016, ChromaDex's Quarterly 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, and actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. 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.