ChromaDex®'s Novel Ingredient pTeroPure® to be Studied as Potential Treatment for Fighting Skin Cancers

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaDex® Corp. (OTCBB: CDXC) today announced that the University of California, Irvine has granted ChromaDex® the exclusive rights to a joint patent application filed by ChromaDex® and the university for the method of inducing UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity using pTeroPure®, ChromaDex®'s ultra-pure formulation of pterostilbene, a compound found in blueberries and demonstrated to have multiple health benefits. UGT is an enzyme responsible for the process of glucuronidation, which changes unwanted compounds in to a more water-soluble version, thus allowing for easier elimination from the body. It is known that UGTs prevent melanoma invasiveness by eliminating toxic compounds and are subsequently lost during melanoma progression.  

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With more than 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in more than two million people annually,(1) data shows that there has been at least a 300 percent increase in skin cancer incidence since 1994.(2) Researchers believe that pTeroPure® may show promise for the regression of precancerous diseases such as actinic keratoses (AK) and other changes that are associated with photodamage of the skin. AKs are the earliest identifiable lesions that can eventually develop into skin cancer. These lesions are diagnosed in 14 percent of all visits to dermatologists, following only acne and dermatitis in frequency according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

The pterostilbene-based pTeroPure® may also be used to suppress or prevent progression of these precancerous diseases to non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). In prior studies, pterostilbene has been shown to inhibit melanoma cell growth, although the mechanism of action is still being determined.(3)

"As we continue to build on our strategy of increasing intellectual property with our proprietary ingredients, we also strive to provide solutions to increase quality of life," said Frank L. Jaksch, Jr., CEO of ChromaDex®. "Adding this patent to our portfolio reinforces ChromaDex®'s commitment to bringing science-based solutions to the market."

"Our research to evaluate pterostilbene's effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of skin damage and cancers will potentially offer medical professionals and patients alike a new approach in battling the devastating effects of diseases like melanoma and other skin cancers," said Frank Meyskens, MD, Director of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine.

"For over 11 years, ChromaDex® has been committed to the discovery and development of ingredients that promote health and well-being," said William Spengler, President of ChromaDex®. "We are now uniquely positioned to enter a potentially very large but underserved segment of the skincare market with our novel ingredient pTeroPure®."

About ChromaDex®

ChromaDex® is an innovative natural products company that provides proprietary, science-based solutions and ingredients to the dietary supplement, food & beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The company has an impressive pipeline of new ingredients, including its pTeroPure® pterostilbene for which it has worldwide, exclusive patent rights. 

ChromaDex® Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those relating to product and customer demand, market acceptance of our products, the effect of economic conditions both nationally and internationally, ability to protect our intellectual property rights, impact of any litigation or infringement actions brought against us, competition from other providers and products, risks in product development, our ability to raise capital to fund continuing operations, the ability to complete transactions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement for events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made except as required by law.

(1) Rogers, HW, Weinstock, MA, Harris, AR, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol 2010; 146(3):283-287.

(2) The Skin Cancer Foundation: http://www.skincancer.org/nonmelanoma-skin-cancer-incidence-jumps-by-over-300-percent.html. Accessed August 31, 2011.

(3) Schneider JG, Alosi JA, McDonald DE, McFadden DW. Effects of pterostilbene on melanoma alone and in synergy with inositol hexaphosphate. Am J Surg 2010; 198:679-684.

SOURCE ChromaDex Corp.