Universite Libre de Bruxelles and ChromaDex® To Collaborate on NIAGEN™ Nicotinamide Riboside Research

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ChromaDex Corp.® (OTCQB: CDXC), an innovative natural products company that provides proprietary, science-based solutions and ingredients 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 Universite Libre de Bruxelles  (ULB), whereby ChromaDex will provide ULB with quantities of its recently launched NIAGEN™ nicotinamide riboside (NR).

Dr. Oberdan Leo, with the help of Drs. Fabienne Andris, Anthony Rongvaux and Frederic Van Gool at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, identified the mammalian gene encoding for nicotinamide phosphoribosyl tranferase (Nampt), the rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway linking nicotinamide (a major component of Vitamin B3) to NAD. The group led by Dr. Leo later demonstrated that this biosynthetic pathway plays an important role in lymphocyte development and in the regulation of innate immunity.

Dr. Leo commented, "The discovery that immune activation led to increased expression of Nampt led us to postulate intracellular NAD status may play an important role during an immune response. Exogenous NR has been shown to promote intracellular NAD accumulation and we are therefore thrilled by the possibility to explore, in collaboration with ChromaDex scientists, the effect of NR on the immune system in a series of preclinical models.

Commenting on the announcement, Frank Jaksch, ChromaDex Founder and CEO, states "We are pleased to partner with Dr. Leo and ULB, adding to the growing list of highly esteemed researchers and universities studying the important health benefits of nicotinamide riboside."

ChromaDex's NIAGEN™ has the potential to be a next generation niacin (Vitamin B3) and become part of the portfolio of B-vitamin ingredients that are included in products serving multi-billion dollar markets such as multi-vitamins, nutraceuticals, weight-loss, energy drinks, sports nutrition, meal replacements, infant formula, food and beverage products.

NIAGEN™ is the first and only commercially available brand of NR. Over the past two years, ChromaDex has built a significant patent portfolio pertaining to NR by separately acquiring patent rights from Cornell University, Dartmouth College and Washington University.  ChromaDex believes its patent rights create a significant and meaningful barrier to entry for would-be competitors in the NR market.

About Nicotinamide Riboside (NR):

Sometimes referred to as the "Miracle Molecule" or 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). The beneficial effects of NR in humans include increased fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial activity, resistance to the negative consequences of high-fat diets, protection against oxidative stress, prevention of peripheral neuropathy and the blocking muscle degeneration.

Published research has shown that NR is perhaps the most potent precursor to NAD+ in the mitochondria of animals. NAD+ is arguably the most important cellular co-factor for improvement of mitochondrial performance and energy metabolism. 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 their seminal discoveries in providing evidence for unique properties of NR in neuroprotection, sirtuin activation, protection against weight gain on high fat diets and improvement of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.

Findings from a recent study by 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 ULB: 

Multicultural and international, that's the Universite libre de Bruxelles (ULB). A third of its students and researchers come from abroad, the ULB is like Brussels, a cosmopolitan center by excellence.

With thirteen faculties, schools and specialized centers, the ULB operates in all disciplines. Research and education are optimally matched. This leads to numerous collaborations and privileged partnerships with leading foreign universities.

The University distinguishes itself in a humanist approach to knowledge, through free, impartial research, and, in the words of Marie Curie, through its participation in fundamental research programmes. The university is proud to have won an array of awards that stand testament to its excellence, especially the four Nobel Prizes for science (including the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics), 24 Francqui Prizes (out of 82), the highest honour in the sciences in Belgium, and 14 European Research Council grants.

ULB is incredibly active in finding business applications for the results of its research, with a specialist Technology Transfer Office (TTO) forming part of its Research Department. The TTO manages a portfolio of 162 patent families, 40 spin-offs, three incubators, and investment fund, and a biotechnology business park: Biopark Charleroi Brussels South.

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:
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.

ChromaDex Investor Contact:                                             
The Del Mar Consulting Group, Inc.
Robert B. Prag, President
858-794-9500
[email protected]

or

Alex Partners, LLC
Scott Wilfong, President
425- 242-0891
[email protected]

ChromaDex Company Contact:
Laura Carney, 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.

References:

Rongvaux A, Shea RJ, Mulks MH, Gigot D, Urbain J, Leo O, Andris F.
Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor, whose expression is up-regulated in activated
lymphocytes, is a nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, a cytosolic enzyme
involved in NAD biosynthesis. Eur J Immunol. 2002 Nov;32(11):3225-34

Rongvaux A, Galli M, Denanglaire S, Van Gool F, Dreze PL, Szpirer C, Bureau F,
Andris F, Leo O. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase/pre-B cell
colony-enhancing factor/visfatin is required for lymphocyte development and
cellular resistance to genotoxic stress. J Immunol. 2008 Oct 1;181(7):4685-95.

Van Gool F, Galli M, Gueydan C, Kruys V, Prevot PP, Bedalov A, Mostoslavsky R,
Alt FW, De Smedt T, Leo O. Intracellular NAD levels regulate tumor necrosis
factor protein synthesis in a sirtuin-dependent manner. Nat Med. 2009
Feb;15(2):206-10.

SOURCE ChromaDex Corp.