Fourth Published Clinical Trial Confirms Long-Term Safety of NIAGEN® Supplementation at High Doses and Shows Potential for Improvement in Liver Health

Findings from Aarhus University Hospital and the University of Copenhagen Suggest Further Studies on NIAGEN® Should Focus on Therapeutic Potential for Liver Health


IRVINE, Calif., July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC), an integrated, science-based, nutraceutical company devoted to improving the way people age, announced today that results from a human clinical study of NIAGEN®, a novel form of vitamin B3, at University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University Hospital, were published yesterday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study was led by Jonas T. Treebak, MS, PhD and Niels Jessen, MD, PhD.

The authors conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial in 40 middle-aged obese men taking a 2 gram dose (1 gram twice daily) of NIAGEN nicotinamide riboside chloride (NR). This is the fourth published clinical study of NR, and the results of this study corroborate previous findings that NR effectively raises levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in humans without adverse effects. This study represents the highest dose, longest-term clinical investigation of NR supplementation to date.

Dr. Charles Brenner, discoverer of NR as a form of vitamin, Chief Scientific Advisor of ChromaDex and co-author of the study commented, “Though previous work established safety of NR in older adults, we needed to look at safety of NR in other populations. In this study, we clearly showed that 2 grams per day of NR is safe in obese men and we were able to assess which metabolic parameters are most sensitive to NR supplementation.” Dr. Brenner serves as the Roy J. Carver Chair and Head of Biochemistry at the University of Iowa.

In addition to confirming the ability of high dose NIAGEN to effectively and tolerably raise NAD levels in obese men, the study assessed a broad range of metabolic factors related to metabolic syndrome and obesity.  The authors observed that men taking NR had an average 2% absolute reduction in liver fat content compared to a 0.2% absolute reduction in the placebo group (P=0.13). The authors also looked at the subset of men who started the trial with greater than 5% liver fat. They found a trend that 69% of these men experienced a reduction in liver fat after 12 weeks of NIAGEN compared to only 39% of the men taking the placebo.

The results of this study provide important clues for the role of NIAGEN in supporting liver health and support the need for future clinical studies to determine the effects of NR on liver health in both longer trials and in more diverse populations. “This study supports the safety of high dose NR in obese men and, with further testing, may demonstrate that it provides a beneficial nutritional intervention to reduce liver fat,” said Dr. Brenner.

To date, ChromaDex has invested millions in safety, toxicology and human clinical trials on NIAGEN, the only form of NR with New Dietary Ingredient and Generally Regarded as Safe designations notified to the US Food and Drug Administration. ChromaDex has supplied NIAGEN at no cost to over 140 leading institutions for research including Dartmouth, the National Institutes of Health, University of Iowa, and the Scripps Research Institute.

To learn more about ChromaDex, please visit www.ChromaDex.com.

About NIAGEN®:
NIAGEN®, also known as nicotinamide riboside (NR), is a very unique member of the vitamin B3 family. The body converts NR into Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) which is an essential molecule found in every living cell.

About ChromaDex:
ChromaDex Corp. is an integrated, global nutraceutical company devoted to improving the way people age. ChromaDex scientists partner with leading universities and research institutions worldwide to uncover the full potential of NAD and identify and develop novel, science-based ingredients. Its flagship ingredient, NIAGEN nicotinamide riboside, sold directly to consumers as TRU NIAGEN®, is backed with clinical and scientific research, as well as extensive IP protection. TRU NIAGEN is helping the world AGE BETTER®. 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 results of the NIAGEN® studies and their significance and whether recent study shows potential for improvement in liver health. 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 December 30, 2017, 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. ChromaDex provided research materials and a portion of the grant funding as a collaborator for the study.

ChromaDex Media Contact:
Alex Worsham, Director of Strategic Partnerships
949-648-3775
alexw@chromadex.com  

ChromaDex Investor Relations Contact:
Andrew Johnson, Director of Investor Relations
949-419-0288
andrewj@chromadex.com