SCOLR's controlled release drug delivery technology has been incorporated into six more nutritional supplements, expected to reach the market early next year.
The drug delivery firm said it has begun making presentations to several national pharmacy and mass merchandiser chains for the new formulations, which include 12-hour vitamin C, 12-hour Ester C, 12-hour glucosamine hydrochloride, 12-hour glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM, 12-hour glucosamine hydrochloride-sulfate complex and 8-hour caffeine
The collective US market value of these product categories is over $1 billion, out of the $18 billion dietary supplement industry, said the Redmond, Washington based firm.
SCOLR's patented CDT (Controlled Delivery Technology) allows for less frequent or once-daily dosage by controlling and extending the release of the active compound(s) in the body. The technology offers manufacturers of supplements in more competitive categories a significant advantage.
Daniel O. Wilds, president and CEO of SCOLR, said the firm was building upon the growing reputation and sales of CDT glucosamine/chondroitin, currently available in more than 7,000 retail stores, including Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's and RiteAid. More than 32 million tablets of CDT nutritional products have been manufactured and shipped since March 2003.
"Our initial sales presentation of these new compounds was very well received and early indications are that we can expect interest similar to that enjoyed by our CDT glucosamine/chondroitin product. We expect to receive our first order later this year, which could mean that the first products could be available to consumers in early 2004," said Wilds.
Last year leading soy processor ADM said it had incorporate SCOLR's technology into its Novasoy Daily Dose product, allowing for the steady delivery of soya isoflavones over a 12 or 24 hour period.
SCOLR is aiming to use royalty revenue generated by the supplements to support the longer term investments needed to bring OTC products and prescription drugs using the technology to market. The company presented eight drug delivery-related research papers to attendees at last week's annual convention of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.