University of Birmingham Receives Grant from Wellcome Trust to Support Human Research on ChromaDex's NIAGEN® Nicotinamide Riboside

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaDex Corp.  (OTCQX: CDXC), an innovative natural products company that provides proprietary ingredients and science-based solutions to the dietary supplement, food and beverage, animal health, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, announced today it has entered into a material transfer agreement (MTA) with the University of Birmingham, whereby it will provide quantities of its patented NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside for pre-clinical and human studies.

Dr. Gareth Lavery, a prominent researcher with the University of Birmingham's Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (CEDAM), has been awarded a prestigious Senior Fellowship in Basic Biomedical Science from the Wellcome Trust, the world's second-highest spending charitable foundation, dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health.

Dr. Lavery will receive approximately £1.6 million (or US $2.5 million) from the Wellcome Trust to fund basic, pre-clinical and human research for the next five years to investigate the metabolism of NR and its potential roles in the metabolic control of aging and exercise adaptation.  Dr. Lavery commented: "This funding positions our research team at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with ChromaDex to conduct critical studies on the effects of NR on human health, specifically as it relates to cell metabolism."

Frank Jaksch, CEO and founder of ChromaDex, stated: "We are excited that Dr. Lavery and his team were able to secure grant funding that will allow for human studies of NR. We have entered into an unprecedented number of MTAs with universities and research centers for our NIAGEN® NR and we expect that the results of their initial research will lead to grant funding for numerous human clinical studies of NR."

ChromaDex's NIAGEN® is the first and only commercially available form of NR, a naturally occurring vitamin B3 derivative found in milk.  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 the improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy and is essential in supporting healthy cellular metabolism, including the efficient conversation of blood glucose into energy.

About Nicotinamide Riboside (NR):
Sometimes referred to as the "hidden vitamin," NR is found naturally in trace amounts in milk and other foods and is a more potent, no-flush version of Niacin (vitamin B3).  Published research has shown that NR is perhaps the most effective booster of NAD+, an essential metabolite found in all cells. NAD+ is arguably the most important cellular co-factor for the improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy metabolism. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell where macronutrients are converted to energy the cell can use. Mitochondria also play an important part in the aging process. Scientists hope that the stimulation of mitochondrial function with NR may result in increased longevity as well as other health improvements. Researchers worldwide are continuing to make seminal discoveries characterizing the unique properties of NR in a wide range of health benefits. These include increased mitochondrial health, increased muscle endurance, neuroprotection, sirtuin activation, protection against weight gain on high-fat diet, protection against oxidative stress and improvement of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.

A study by researchers from Harvard Medical School in conjunction with the National Institute on Aging  published in December 2013 in Cell demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction (a hallmark of aging) in aging mice is due to a disruption in Sirtuin1-dependent nuclear-mitochondrial communication. The study further showed that a reduction in NAD+ levels is responsible for this disruption. Excitingly, the study demonstrated that this mitochondrial dysfunction is readily reversible by the administration of a NAD+ precursor. The study reported that "1 week of treatment with a compound that boosts NAD+ levels is sufficient to restore the mitochondrial homeostasis and key biochemical markers of muscle health in a 22-month-old mouse to levels similar to a 6-month-old mouse," indicating that some aspects of aging may be theoretically reversible.

Separately, findings from a 2012 study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland showed that mice on a high-fat diet which were fed NR gained 60 percent less weight than mice eating the same high-fat diet without NR. Moreover, unlike the mice that were not fed NR, none of the NR-treated mice had indications that they were developing diabetes and their energy and lower cholesterol levels improved, all without side effects. The Swiss researchers were quoted as saying the effects of NR on metabolism were "nothing short of astonishing."

About ChromaDex:
ChromaDex is an innovative natural products company that discovers, acquires, develops and commercializes proprietary-based ingredient technologies through its unique business model that utilizes its wholly owned synergistic business units, including ingredient technologies, natural product fine chemicals (known as "phytochemicals"), chemistry and analytical testing services, and product regulatory and safety consulting (as Spherix Consulting). The company provides seamless science-based solutions to the nutritional supplement, food and beverage, animal health, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The ChromaDex ingredient technologies unit includes products backed with extensive scientific research and intellectual property. Its ingredient portfolio includes pTeroPure^® pterostilbene; ProC3G^®, a natural black rice containing cyanidin-3-glucoside; PURENERGY^®, a caffeine-pTeroPure^® cocrystal; and NIAGEN®, its recently launched branded nicotinamide riboside, a potent NAD+ booster and novel next-generation B vitamin. To learn more about ChromaDex, 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 December 28, 2013, 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.

ChromaDex Media Inquiries:                                               
Beckerman PR                                                                        
Jerry Schranz                                                                           
201-465-8020                                                                           
[email protected]

ChromaDex Company Contact:
Laura Kelly, Executive Assistant
949-419-0288
[email protected]

SOURCE ChromaDex Corp.

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