ChromaDex Initiates First Human Clinical Study to Confirm ChromaDex's NIAGEN™ Nicotinamide Riboside Will Increase NAD+

IRVINE, Calif., July 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaDex Corp.  (OTCQB: 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 the initiation of the first human clinical study for its patented ingredient NIAGEN™, the first and only commercially available form of nicotinamide riboside (NR). The study will engage the laboratory of Dr. Charles Brenner, Roy J. Carver Chair of Biochemistry and Professor of Internal Medicine at University of Iowa. Brenner, is credited with discovery of NR as a vitamin in organisms from yeast to people as published in Cell in 2004.

The human clinical study is designed to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) and bioavailability of NIAGEN™ as well as provide information about an effective NR dose range in humans. Most importantly, this study aims to confirm earlier animal studies conducted by various universities and research institutes, which showed that oral dosing of the compound results in an increased level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and NAD+ metabolites in the body.

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 activity of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, which are believed to play a key role in longevity. NAD+ levels can be depleted by lifestyle choices such as overeating and lack of exercise. By boosting NAD+, NR can increase mitochondrial health and induce creation of new mitochondria.

Frank Jaksch, Jr., founder and CEO of ChromaDex, commented, "The primary goal of this human study is to confirm previous published research in animals showing that NR is an effective precursor to NAD+. Confirming that NR leads to a meaningful increase in NAD+ metabolites in humans is perhaps the single most important clinical endpoint in proving that NR will have significant impact on human health."

Jaksch continued, "Confirming that NR leads to a meaningful increase in NAD+ in humans should also be an incredible driver with respect building consumer awareness for NIAGEN™ as well as increased interest for the ingredient by both consumer products companies as well as pharmaceutical companies interested in therapeutic applications of  NIAGEN™."

ChromaDex's NIAGEN™ is supported by five patents issued and several pending, with patents rights acquired from Cornell University, Dartmouth College and Washington University. In addition to the human clinical study, ChromaDex is actively collaborating with numerous leading universities and research institutes on the health benefits of NIAGEN™, including a recent partnership with Wageningen University in the Netherlands. 

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® co-crystal; and NIAGEN™, its recently launched branded nicotinamide riboside, a 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 the Company's business. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company's Quarter Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings submitted by the Company 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 the Company 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                                                                           
jschranz@beckermanpr.com  

ChromaDex Company Contact:
Laura Kelly, Executive Assistant
949-419-0288
laurak@chromadex.com

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  These products or ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

SOURCE ChromaDex