Thorne Research, Inc, WellnessFX, And Itamar Medical, Maker Of The EndoPAT® And WatchPAT® Medical Devices, Enter Into 3-Year Co-Marketing Agreement

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Thorne Research, Inc., a leader in developing and manufacturing pure, high-quality nutritional supplements marketed through licensed healthcare practitioners, today announced that the company has entered into a three-year non-exclusive co-marketing agreement with Itamar Medical, Inc., to market Itamar's EndoPAT®, a unique, proprietary, FDA-cleared medical device for the assessment of arterial (endothelial) function, and WatchPAT®, a unique home-based sleep test to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

Under the agreement, Thorne Research will receive marketing rights for the EndoPAT® and WatchPAT® devices and related disposables (finger probes) in the United States. Thorne Research will incorporate EndoPAT® and WatchPAT® training materials into its training events for healthcare practitioners, which also provide information on its TruCardia® line of nutritional supplement products to support cardiovascular health.

Paul Jacobson, CEO of Thorne Research and WellnessFX, said, "We are extremely excited to work with Itamar Medical to bring additional solutions to healthcare practitioners and their patients. Our practitioner network will now be able to provide patients with science-backed products based on their individual EndoPAT® and WatchPAT® test results. This will result in broader solutions through our practitioner network and WellnessFX. Our ultimate goal is to offer practitioners and patients a full diagnostic health dashboard and assume the leadership position in personalized medicine."

Gilad Glick, CEO of Itamar Medical, said, "We are proud to have Thorne Research, a highly reputable industry innovator, as our first partner in reaching the integrative and naturopathic practitioner channels. With increasing numbers of leading practitioners adopting the EndoPAT® device, and scientific publications demonstrating its importance in predicting future cardiac events beyond conventional tests and tools, the device is now ready for widespread clinical use. Thorne Research's TruCardia® line of nutritional supplements, backed by advanced scientific study, offers an exciting opportunity to improve prognosis by supporting endothelial function."

The Hypertension Institute, under the direction of Mark Houston MD, MS, MSc, and Thorne Research, have jointly developed the TruCardia® line of nutritional supplements for the support of cardiovascular health. The Hypertension Institute and Thorne Research have now begun collaborating with Itamar to provide cardiovascular research services and clinical evaluation to health-care practitioners for the early identification of cardiovascular issues that will direct optimal support and related therapies.

Dr Houston stated, "EndoPAT® is the most accurate non-invasive test to determine endothelial function and Thorne Research provides state-of-the-art metabolomics pathway analysis of nutrients. The combination of these modalities will dramatically improve the ability to support the cardiovascular health of patients, particularly endothelial and mitochondrial function. This new venture will also help healthcare professionals better detect and treat patients with reduced endothelial function, which is considered an early marker for atherosclerosis."

The TruCardia® nutritional supplement product line was developed using the most advanced research technologies available for the support of cardiovascular health. A combination of peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature, metabolomics-based composition and molecular pathway analysis, clinical research, and expert insight was used to determine the range of ingredients and dosing levels to achieve optimal efficacy of the TruCardia® nutritional supplement line.

"Cardiovascular disease is the single leading cause of death globally. By educating patients about the prudent use of nutritional supplements, nutrition, effective tools to monitor their cardiovascular health, and the importance of choosing healthier lifestyle options, we can help them better manage the status of their cardiovascular health. There is significant medical evidence indicating that nutritional supplements can positively impact cardiovascular health. TruCardia® will offer the finest educational and nutritional resources to make a difference in the lives of people who have cardiovascular issues or who may be at risk," said Dr. Houston.

About Thorne Research, Inc.
Since 1984, Thorne Research, with more than 400 nutritional supplement products, has set the standard for exceptional quality manufacturing and formulation of pure, highly absorbable nutritional supplements using advanced technology. Thorne Research is recognized as a global leader and provider of nutritional supplements and education to licensed healthcare practitioners. With locations in Sandpoint, Idaho, and New York City, Thorne Research operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and employs more than 250 people. Further information on Thorne Research is available at www.thorne.com. 

About Dr. Mark Houston
Dr. Houston is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Medical Director of the Division of Human Nutrition at Saint Thomas Hospital, in Nashville, Tennessee. He is triple board-certified in hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension (ASH, FASH), internal medicine (ABIM, FACP), and anti-aging and regenerative medicine (ABAARM, FAARM). He also has dual Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Masters of Science in Medical Science of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine. Dr. Houston is a fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) and a fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN). He specializes in the prevention and treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, and has a clinical and research practice in integrative cardiovascular medicine, preventive cardiology, vascular medicine, vascular biology, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure. He has pioneered multiple research efforts that demonstrate the effectiveness of nutritional supplements, optimal nutrition, exercise, weight management, and other lifestyle modifications to better manage cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Houston has published over 200 medical articles in peer-reviewed journals, serves on the editorial board for numerous cardiovascular journals, has completed over 120 clinical research studies in cardiovascular disease, and has presented over 10,000 lectures worldwide. He has authored several best-selling books including: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension," "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Heart Disease," and "The Handbook of Hypertension." He has been selected by both USA Today and the Consumers Research Council as one of the Top and Most Influential Physicians in Hypertension and Dyslipidemia in the United States.

About the Hypertension Institute
The Hypertension Institute of Nashville, Tennessee, specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, vascular aging, and their complications. It provides patients with the latest clinical research, patient care, education, sophisticated cardiovascular specialty primary care, and hypertensive, dyslipidemia, and heart disease treatments. The Hypertension Institute strives to prevent complications such as coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and cerebrovascular accidents (stroke). It is through in-depth consultation, examination, and non-drug and drug treatment that patients are able to permanently modify their lifestyles and reduce cardiovascular risk. The Hypertension Institute offers specialized programs in nutrition; nutritional supplements; exercise, stress management, and weight loss; diagnostic labs; and advanced cardiovascular testing, as well as a Facial Rejuvenation Center (FRC).

About the EndoPAT® Device
The EndoPAT® device is an FDA-cleared medical device indicated for measuring endothelial (arterial) function. The EndoPAT® test is non-invasive and simple, similar to having blood pressure tested (both use a standard blood pressure cuff) and is easily performed in a healthcare practitioner's office. It measures endothelial (arterial) health and provides reliable results in 15 minutes.

The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the blood vessels. When these cells do not function properly, known as endothelial dysfunction, the arteries begin to lose the ability to supply more blood to the heart muscle when needed. Insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle can cause chest pain and other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, and can eventually lead to more serious cardiovascular issues when not properly managed.

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SOURCE Thorne Research, Inc.