Granalix BioTechnologies Introduces Novel Food Additive Based on Pomegranate Oil for Protection From Neurodegenerative Diseases

JERUSALEM, September 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Granalix BioTechnologies today announced the commercial launch of GranaGard™ a food supplement based on pomegranate oil that was shown to prevent neurodegeneration diseases in mouse models.

GranaGard, is a submicron Pomegranate Seed Oil (PSO) emulsion, and is an innovative formulation of one of the strongest natural antioxidants, Punicic acid (an Omega 5 lipid), which constitutes 80% of PSO. The novel patented formulation was shown to delay disease onset and prevent neuronal death in a model of genetic prion disease (a form of Mad Cow Disease)^[i] and to reduce disease burden in a mouse model of Multiple Sclerosis^[ii], while showing no toxicity after long term administration. In both diseases, GranaGard administration results in reduction of brain lipid oxidation, which is caused by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Prof. Ruth Gabizon, Founder and acting CEO of Granalix BioTechnologies, explained, "Reactive Oxygen species (ROS) are chemically active molecules that can lead to significant damage to cells, and in particular in the central nervous system. It is therefore widely accepted that this chemical agents contributes to chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. And while anti-oxidants that can counteract ROS are ubiquitously present in a healthy human diet, their activity is limited by chemical degradation, poor bioavailability, reduced distribution to the CNS, and sub-pharmacological doses. To overcome these limitations, we generated GranaGard, a novel neuroprotective formulation with high bioavailability. In addition to its protective role in subjects at risk of neurodegenerative conditions, GranaGard is expected to be effective for general neurological wellbeing for the larger public. We are also currently testing GranaGard for its effect in various non-neurological diseases and as a protective agent during intense exercise."

"GranaGard can currently be purchased at the Company's website. In addition, the product will soon be available in pharmacies in Mexico and we are seeking additional partners for world-wide distribution," added Prof. Gabizon.

PSO submicron droplets have several advantages. First, the nano formulation may avoid the first passage of the oil through the liver, thereby enhancing the availability of the droplets to other organs such as the CNS. GranaGard is then able to enter the brain and protect membrane lipids from ROS attacks that occur as a result of both every-day efforts and pathological events. In vivo, Punicic Acid is metabolized into Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a compound known for its neuroprotective and other beneficial effects. When mice are given the GranaGard formulation, CLA was found to accumulate in the brain and can directly exert its neuroprotective effect.

GranaGard™ is produced by Supherb and can be purchased at the Company's website at http://www.granalix.com.

About Neurodegenerative Diseases 

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, Parkinson's or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are late onset brain disorders that together affect millions of people around the globe. Alzheimer's disease is the 5^th leading cause of death for people aged 65 or older in the US, and one in three seniors in the US will suffer from some form of dementia. Currently, there are no preventive or curative treatments for these conditions, while the number of people living with these diseases increases globally due to the increase in life expectancy.

About Granalix BioTechnologies 

Granalix BioTechnologies focuses on developing science-based novel formulations of natural antioxidants that can be used for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions. The Company was established in 2014 by Prof. Ruth Gabizon from the Department of Neurology at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel and Prof. Shlomo Magdassi at the Casali Center for Applied Chemistry, the Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as a spinoff of Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the technology-transfer company of the Hebrew University, and Hadasit, the Technology Transfer Company of Hadassah Medical Organization.

i. Mizrahi M. et al. (2014) Pomegranate seed oil nanoemulsions for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: the case of genetic CJD. Nanomedicine, 10: 1353-1363. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.03.015

ii. Binyamin O. et al. (2015) Treatment of a multiple sclerosis animal model by a novel nanodrop formulation of a natural antioxidant. International Journal of Nanomedicine

10:7165-7174. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S92704

Media Contact:
Tsipi Haitovsky
Global Media Liaison
Granalix BioTechnologies Ltd.
Tel: +972-52-598-9892
E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Granalix BioTechnologies