IRVINE, Calif., April 15th, 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 it has entered into a material transfer agreement (MTA) with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at University of Copenhagen, Denmark. ChromaDex will provide the University with quantities of its patented NIAGEN^TM nicotinamide riboside (NR) ingredient for use in research.

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 improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy. In recent years, NAD⁺ has also been recognized as an extracellular signaling molecule involved in cell-to-cell communication.  NAD+ is essential in supporting healthy cellular metabolism including the efficient conversation of blood glucose into energy. 

Dr. Jonas Thue Treebak, Assistant Professor of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, will investigate the role of NAD+ salvage systems for maintaining mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity. Specifically, various in vitro and in vivo experimental models with defects in these systems will be treated with NR to determine the ability of this compound to restore a healthy phenotype. This project is made possible in part by a recent prestigious grant obtained by Dr. Treebak from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Dr. Treebak commented, "The ability to maintain mitochondrial function in insulin sensitive tissues in the body appears to be tightly linked to development of insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. With generous support from the Novo Nordisk Foundation and ChromaDex, we can engage in this important and exciting research area to answer fundamental questions regarding the role of NAD+ metabolism in these diseases; hopefully for the health benefit of millions of people world-wide."

"We are excited to support Dr. Treebak's innovative research," said Frank Jaksch, Jr., founder and CEO of ChromaDex.  "Rapidly accumulating scientific evidence supports a wide range of potential health benefits provided by NR supplementation.  We are pleased to add the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research to the ever-growing list of our esteemed academic and research partners studying NR."

About Nicotinamide Riboside (NR):
Sometimes referred to as the "Miracle Molecule" or "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 NAD+ booster, an essential metabolite found in all cells. NAD+ is arguably the most important cellular co-factor for improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy metabolism. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell where macronutrients are converted to energy the cell can use. Mitochondria also play an important part in the aging process. It is hoped that by stimulating mitochondrial function with the NR molecule, scientists may see increased longevity as well as other health improvements. Researchers worldwide continue seminal discoveries characterizing the unique properties of NR in a wide range of health benefits. These include: increasing mitochondrial health, increasing muscle endurance, neuroprotection, sirtuin activation, protection against weight gain on high fat diet, protection against oxidative stress, improvement of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity. In recent years, NAD⁺ has also been recognized as an extracellular signaling molecule involved in cell-to-cell communication.

A study by researchers from Harvard Medical School in conjunction with the National Institute on Aging was published in December 2013 in CELL demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction (a hallmark of ageing) in ageing mice is due to a disruption in Sirtuin1-dependent nuclear-mitochondrial communication. They further show that a reduction in NAD+ levels is responsible for this disruption. Excitingly, they also show that this mitochondrial dysfunction is readily reversible by administration of a NAD+ precursor. The authors show 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."

Separately, findings from a 2012 study conducted by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne , Switzerland researchers showed mice on a high-fat diet that 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 they had improved energy and lower cholesterol levels, all without side effects. The Swiss researchers were quoted as saying the effects of NR on metabolism "are nothing short of astonishing."

About the University of Copenhagen:
With over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees, the University of Copenhagen is the largest institution of research and education in Denmark. The purpose of the University – to quote the University Statute – is to "conduct research and provide further education to the highest academic level". Approximately one hundred different institutes, departments, laboratories, centers, museums, etc., form the core of the University, where professors, lecturers and other academic staff, as well as most of the technical and administrative personnel, carry out their daily work, and where teaching takes place.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research is an independent research center established in 2010 at the University of Copenhagen. It is partially funded by an unconditional donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The center aims to be a globally leading center for metabolic research, and researchers at the Center generate basic knowledge about human metabolism as a basis for new methods of diagnosing, preventing and treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.

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                                                                           
[email protected]                                                                                                                                    

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

Statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Products or ingredients are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

SOURCE ChromaDex Corp.